Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type-1 curve exhibit specific pedicle width pattern

Eur Spine J. 2012 Jan;21(1):57-63. doi: 10.1007/s00586-011-2055-4. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Abstract

Introduction: Study aim was to find out if patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and specific pedicle width pattern compared with individuals with no scoliosis.

Materials and methods: 4,828 pedicle width measurements (T1-L5) in 61 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type 1 curve, 61 control subjects, and 20 patients with Lenke type 5 curve, were retrospectively performed by an experienced neuroradiologist.

Results: Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, the differences between the width of right and left upper thoracic pedicles were statistically significant; smallest at right T4 (2.6 mm). At scoliotic apex, the pedicles on the concave (left) side were significantly smaller than those on the convex (right) side; smallest at left T7 (3.2 mm). Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, 97% had pedicle width <4 mm.

Conclusions: Our study showed that patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and asymmetric pedicle width compared with control subjects.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scoliosis / diagnosis
  • Scoliosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Scoliosis / pathology*
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spine / pathology*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Young Adult