Lung function in congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the respiratory compromise in patients with a congenital kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis in whom the major deformity is the kyphosis.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with congenital vertebral anomalies resulting in a kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis, in which the kyphosis was the major deformity, and requiring spine surgery were studied retrospectively. The preoperative respiratory function and radiographic spinal assessments were compared.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients (54%) had an impairment of respiratory function: 2 patients (5%) were severely affected, 8 patients (20%) were moderately affected, and 12 patients (29%) were mildly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
An increasing severity of kyphosis was associated with a significant increase in respiratory impairment (P<0.005). A more cranial level of the kyphosis, especially above T10, had a significantly greater effect on respiratory impairment (P<0.001). One untreated patient with a severe kyphosis (128 degrees) died from cor pulmonale.
McMaster
Michael J
MJ
The Scottish National Paediatric Spinal Deformity Centre, The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Scotland. m.mcmaster1@btinternet.com
Glasby
Michael A
MA
Singh
Harwant
H
Cunningham
Steve
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000592:standards; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035423:Thoracic Cavity / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology