SYRINGOMYELIA AND SCOLIOSIS - A REVIEW OF 25 PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

A retrospective review of 25 patients with scoliosis secondary to syri ngomyelia was conducted. All patients had large syrinxes, but only 10 patients had abnormal neurologic findings, suggesting that subtle neur ologic findings in patients with scoliosis should not be underestimate d and supporting liberal use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results of three approaches to the care of these patients were reviewe d: passive observation, bracing, and spinal fusion. Curves progressed greater-than-or-equal-to 5-degrees in patients aged < 10 years who wer e observed, but in children aged > 10 years, curves progressed greater -than-or-equal-to 10-degrees. Curves responded well to bracing, but co rrection was not maintained out of brace for patients with progressive and/or severe curves. Good correction was achieved safely during oper ation.