title: Analysis of sagittal spinopelvic parameters in achondroplasia.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective radiological analysis of patients with achondroplasia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze sagittal spinal alignment and pelvic orientation in achondroplasia patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Knowledge of sagittal spinopelvic parameters is important for the treatment of achondroplasia, because they differ from those of the normal population and can induce pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study and control groups were composed of 32 achondroplasia patients and 24 healthy volunteers, respectively. All underwent lateral radiography of the whole spine including hip joints. The radiographic parameters examined were sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence (PI), S1 overhang, thoracic kyphosis, T10-L2 kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL1, LL2), and sagittal balance. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences between the two groups. In addition, correlations between parameters and symptoms were sought.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sagittal spinopelvic parameters, namely, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, S1 overhang, thoracic kyphosis, T10-L2 kyphosis, lumbar lordosis 1 and sagittal balance were found to be significantly different in the patient and control groups (P < 0.05). In addition, sagittal parameters were found to be related to each other in the patient group (P < 0.05), that is, PI was related to SS and pelvic tilt, and LL was related to thoracic kyphosis. Furthermore, in terms of relations between spinal and pelvic parameters, LL was related to SS and PI, and sagittal balance was related to SS and PI. Furthermore, LL and T10-L2 kyphosis were found to be related to pain (P < 0.05), whereas no other parameter was found to be related to VAS scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sagittal parameters and possible relationships between sagittal parameters and symptoms were found to be significantly different in achondroplasia patients and normal healthy controls. The present study shows that sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters can assist the treatment of spinal disorders in achondroplasia patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Seung-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Hitesh N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Jong-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jung-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016014:Linear Models; D008141:Lordosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult