CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SCOLIOSIS THAT DEVELOPS AFTER PINEALECTOMY INTHE CHICKEN AND COMPARISON WITH ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS IN HUMANS

Study Design. The characteristics of the scoliosis that develops after pinealectomy in young chickens were determined from weekly posteroant erior radiographs. These data were compared with similar data collecte d from human patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Objectives . To characterize the scoliosis produced in young chickens after pinea lectomy and to compare these characteristics with those seen in human patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background D ata. Although it has been recognized that pinealectomy produces scolio sis in chickens, the characteristics of these curves have never been w ell described other than by simple visual descriptions. Methods. The c haracteristics of the scoliosis produced in chickens after pinealectom y done 3 days after hatching were measured from radiographs taken at w eekly intervals. These characteristics were compared with similar data collected from human patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. R esults. Similarities included development of single and double curves, degree of curvature, stability of the curve, numbers of vertebrae inv olved, direction of rotation, and progression characteristics. Differe nces included wedged vertebrae in the chickens, in conjunction with cu rve development and increased variability in vertebrae involved. Concl usions. There are many similarities in the development of scoliosis in young chickens after pinealectomy and in children with adolescent idi opathic scoliosis. The few differences might be related to the differe nt biomechanical properties associated with the spine in the two speci es.