Morphological and Functional Electrophysiological Evidence of Relative Spinal Cord Tethering in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

• DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e318166aa58
• Publication Date: 2009-03-05T16:51:58Z
• Authors: Winnie C. W. Chu; Gene C. W. Man; Wynnie W. M. Lam; Benson H. Y. Yeung; W W. Chau; Bobby K. W. Ng; Tsz-ping Lam; Kwong-man Lee; Jack C. Y. Cheng
• Keywords: Vertebral column; Rachis; Somatosensory evoked potential

In Brief Study Design. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and multiplanar reconstruction was used to evaluate the morphology relative position of spinal cord in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objective. To determine longitudinal cross-sectional AIS subjects versus normal controls their correlation with cerebellar tonsils somatosensory cortical evoked potentials (SSEP). Summary Background Data. Our previous studies revealed significantly reduced vertebral column length ratios patients severe scoliotic curves suggesting presence disproportional growth between neural skeletal system. A possible origin etiopathogenesis is suggested. Methods. MR performed 97 girls (35 moderate, 26 right-sided thoracic/thoracolumbar curve, 36 age-matched controls). Measurements ratio anteroposterior (AP) transverse (TS) diameter cord, concave convex lateral space (LCS) were obtained at apical level subjects. Same parameters matched levels. Correlations made ratio, tonsil SSEP findings. Results. AP/TS LCS increased when compared (P < 0.05). The above exaggerated abnormal negatively correlated (rho = −0.410 −0.313, P 0.01) tonsillar −0.309 −0.432, 0.01). Conclusion. study suggests tethering tension along axis associated morphologic changes shape cord. Anteroposterior/transverse which results