Congenital spinal deformity: a comprehensive assessment at presentation

Abstract

Study design: A series of 126 consecutive patients with congenital spinal deformity is presented.

Objective: To assess the incidence of intraspinal anomaly and other organic defects associated with different types of spine deformity at presentation.

Summary of background data: A high incidence of intraspinal abnormalities and other organ defects is reported in relation to congenital spine deformity. The prevalence of these problems with different types of deformities is to be determined.

Methods: All patients had MRI, echocardiography, renal ultrasound, and a thorough clinical assessment.

Results: Intraspinal abnormalities were found in 47 patients (37%). These abnormalities were significantly more common in patients with congenital kyphosis ( = 0.0048), and in those with scoliosis resulting from mixed and segmentation defects. Scoliosis patients with cervical and thoracic hemivertebrae had significantly more intraspinal abnormalities ( = 0.0253) than those with lumbar hemivertebrae. In 64 (55%) patients other organic defects were found. These defects were more common in patients with congenital scoliosis resulting from mixed defects ( = 0.002). Cardiac defects were detected in 26% and urogenital anomalies in 21% of the patients.

Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography should be an essential part in the evaluation of patients with congenital spinal deformity, and special attention should be paid to patients with segmentation abnormalities, mixed defects, and kyphosis.