Hemivertebra in monozygotic twins.
METHODS
A case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report and discuss a case of thoracic hemivertebra in monozygotic twins.


BACKGROUND
The etiology of congenital scoliosis remains unclear. Both a genetic basis and environmental influences have been postulated. A few isolated reports of discordant spinal anomalies in twins exist.


METHODS
Clinical examination and plain radiograph evaluation were performed on female monozygotic twins with congenital scoliosis secondary to thoracic hemivertebra.


RESULTS
Congenital thoracic scoliosis was documented in both of a set of monozygotic twins.


CONCLUSIONS
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of similar congenital vertebral abnormalities in identical twins in the English literature.
Sturm
P F
PF
Pediatric Orthopaedic and Scolioisis Associates, Annandale, Virginia, USA. pfsturm@ped-ortho.com
Chung
R
R
Bomze
S R
SR
D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000151:congenital*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic