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Review
. 2016 Sep;2(3):185-194.
doi: 10.21037/jss.2016.08.05.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the management of scoliosis

James E Archer  1 , Adrian C Gardner  2 , Helen P Roper  3 , Ashish A Chikermane  4 , Andrew J Tatman  4
Affiliations
Review

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the management of scoliosis

James E Archer et al. J Spine Surg. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

This study summaries the current management of scoliosis in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. A literature review of Medline was performed and the collected articles critically appraised. This literature is discussed to give an overview of the current management of scoliosis within Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Importantly, improvements in respiratory care, the use of steroids and improving surgical techniques have allowed patients to maintain quality of life and improved life expectancy in this patient group.

Keywords: Duchenne muscular dystrophy; scoliosis; spinal surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Radiographs demonstrating the difference in curve pattern between that seen in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Scoliosis. (A) An anteroposterior radiograph of a patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; (B) shows an anteroposterior radiograph of a DMD patient with scoliosis demonstrating the difference in curve pattern and location within the spine.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A post-operative anteroposterior radiograph of the earlier DMD patient after surgical instrumentation with fusion to the pelvis. The proximal extent of the instrumentation and fusion is T2, however, this patient had already lost the ability to self-feed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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