The reciprocal relationship between thoracic and spinal deformity and its effect on pulmonary function in a rabbit model: a pilot study.
METHODS
Investigate the association between growth of the spine and thorax under conditions that create symmetric or asymmetric growth disturbances of the spine or thorax in a growing rabbit.


OBJECTIVE
Prove growth of the spine and growth of the thorax are directly related.


BACKGROUND
Understanding the association between growth of the thorax and growth of the spine may explain the occurrence of thoracic insufficiency in patients with congenital scoliosis.


METHODS
Symmetric or asymmetric growth disturbances of the spine or thorax were established in 5-week-old rabbits. During growth of the rabbits, structural changes in the spine, thorax, and lung volume were assessed using serial CT scans. Measures of pulmonary function, spine, and thoracic deformity were related to one another across groups.


RESULTS
The mean Cobb angle and distortion of the thoracic cage were significantly greater for the unilateral tethered rib group. There were no significant differences in total lung volume among the experimental groups. However, the left/right lung volume ratio was significantly different for the unilateral tethered rib group compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Unilateral deformity of the spine or thorax induces both a scoliosis and thoracic cage deformity with asymmetric lung volumes.
Mehta
Hemal P
HP
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Snyder
Brian D
BD
Callender
Natasha N
NN
Bellardine
Carissa L
CL
Jackson
Andrew C
AC
D000818:Animals; D004548:Elasticity; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D011817:Rabbits; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000209:etiology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013909:Thorax / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed