European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Despite its high prevalence, the etiology underlying idiopathic scoliosis remains unclear. Although initial scrutiny has focused on genetic, biochemical, biomechanical, nutritional and congenital causes, there is growing evidence that aberrations in the vestibular system may play a role in the etiology of scoliosis. In this article, we discuss putative mechanisms for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and review the current evidence supporting a role for the vestibular system in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Clinical data and a limited number of animal model studies suggest a causative role of the vestibular system in AIS, although this association has not been reproduced in all studies.
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To investigate the accuracy and reliability of the Cobb angle, the spinous process angle (SPA), and apical vertebral rotation (AVR) for measuring adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and to evaluate the correlations between these measurements. ⋯ The SPA has high correlation with the Cobb angle. Including the AVR as an additional factor in multiple regression improves the prediction of the Cobb angle.
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The application of vertebral body derotation (DVBD) is still controversial by now; the purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare comprehensive outcomes between segmental DVBD and simple rod derotation (SRD) especially in main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Although segmental DVBD showed excellent radiographic correction of axial spinal deformity postoperatively, there was no more correction of clinical rib hump or better patients' assessment than SRD at follow-up in our data.
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Symptomatic foraminal stenosis has been observed in patients with degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, asymmetrical disc degeneration and spondylolisthesis. Nevertheless not all patients with the above pathologies will develop symptomatic foraminal stenosis. We hypothesised that symptomatic patients have anatomical predisposition to foraminal stenosis, namely a larger pedicle height (PH) to vertebral body height (VH) ratio, leaving less room below the pedicle for the exiting nerve root compared to asymptomatic patients. ⋯ Symptomatic patients with foraminal stenosis have smaller VH leading to lesser space beneath the pedicle and putting the exiting nerve root at risk in cases of spondylolisthesis or disc degeneration.