Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Researchers Reveal Natural Progression Of Scoliosis LONDON, ENGLAND -- June 5, 1998 -- Scoliosis is a disorder causing abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It frequently occurs in patients with spastic cerebral palsy (paralysis). However, little is known about the natural history of scoliosis. In this week's issue of The Lancet, Dr. Naoto Saito and colleagues from Japan provide a rare insight into the natural history of this disorder in a group of 37 institutionalised and untreated patients with scoliosis and spastic cerebral palsy. Patients with scoliosis usually undergo a complicated surgical procedure to correct the spinal curvature. The 37 patients in this study did not receive any treatment for several reasons, including the fact that the children did not come under the care of an orthopaedic surgeon and that parents were reluctant to allow treatment to go ahead. The investigators are therefore able to present data on the natural history of scoliosis in 37 patients who were cared for in a single institution. The patients had a series of radiographs (X-rays) taken from a mean age of seven to eight years and were followed up for an average of 17.3 years. The radiographs were studied, and the effects of sex, degree of paralysis, pattern of spinal curve and other factors on the progression of scoliosis were assessed. Scoliosis usually started before the age of 10 years and progressed rapidly during the growth period. Even after growth had ended, continuous progression occurred in many cases. Dr. Saito and colleagues found that severe scoliosis (60 degrees) usually developed in those who had total body involvement (67 percent), were bedridden (100 percent), or had curves of the upper part of their spines (57 percent). "The risk factors for progression of scoliosis in spastic cerebral palsy are: having a spinal curve of 40 degrees before age 15 years; having total body involvement [of spasticity]; being bedridden; and having a thoracolumbar curve," the authors write. “Patients with these risk factors might benefit from early surgical intervention to prevent progression to severe scoliosis." E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version