Management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Knowledge regarding the etiology, natural history, evaluation, and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis continues to accumulate. Although the etiology of scoliosis remains unknown, spinal cord and brainstem pathology may play a role in its development. Natural history studies have confirmed earlier reports documenting respiratory failure in patients with curves of greater than 110 degrees. Screening tests are becoming more specific, limiting the number of unnecessary referrals. Surgical treatment has been advanced by the introduction of new instrumentation systems that attempt to correct spinal deformity in three dimensions. Unfortunately, problems such as postoperative decompensation have raised new questions that remain only partially answered.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902.
W J
WJ
Shaughnessy
D006801:Humans; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging