Neurologic deficits secondary to spinal deformity. A review of the literature and report of 43 cases

Abstract

Forty-three cases of neurologic complications of untreated spinal deformities are reviewed. Kyphosis, averaging 95 degrees, was present in all but one patient. The most common deformity was a congenital kyphosis, present in 17 patients. The complication was more common in males, in the presence of thoracic deformities, and in the second decade. Treatment consisted of anterior spinal cord decompression in 25 patients, laminectomy in ten, Capener decompression in six, correction and fusion in five, and Hyndman-Schneider decompression in three. Laminectomy gave the worst results; six of ten patients who received this treatment showed deterioration. Anterior cord decompression gave the best results, with 16 of 25 showing improvement. A treatment plan for this complication is proposed. A plea for prevention is made, as it is far preferable to avoid this dreaded complication by early fusion of kyphotic problems.