title: Evaluation of coronal shift as an indicator of neuroaxial abnormalities in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In previous studies, many indicator factors have been proposed to select patients who need an MRI screening of the spinal canal. In current study, the clinical and radiologic factors including coronal parameters of the curve were evaluated to find out which indicator is more important.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study included 143 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were treated between 2010 and 2013 at our spinal clinics. Only patients with normal or subtle neurologic findings were included. All patients were evaluated by a total spine MRI protocol for examination of neuroaxial abnormalities. Known indicators and also coronal shift were analysed in all patients with or without abnormal MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of neuroaxial abnormalities was 11.9% (17 of 143); only 5 patients (3.5%) were operated to treat their neuroaxial problem. The significant indicators of the abnormalities in our patients were: younger age at onset, asymmetric superficial abdominal reflex and, coronal shift more than 15 mm (P = 0.03). Some previously known indicators like atypical curves, male gender, double curves and absence of thoracic lordosis were not different between two groups of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A total spine MRI is recommended at presentation in patients with younger age, abnormal neurologic findings and severe coronal shift.
authors: Talegani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Karami
authors: Imam Hosein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Soodeh
authors: S
authors: Sagheb
authors: Robert Debre Hospital, Paris 7 University, Paris, France.
authors: Keyvan
authors: K
authors: Mazda
keywords: Chiari malformation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Scoliosis; Syringomyelia