DEVELOPMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL LUMBAR KYPHOSIS IN MYELOMENINGOCELE

We analysed the cases of lumbar kyphosis in 151 (21%) of a series of 7 19 patients with myelomeningocele. Three different types were distingu ished: paralytic, sharp-angled and congenital. In a cross-sectional an d partly longitudinal study the size and magnitude of the kyphosis, th e apex of the curve and the level of paralysis of each group were reco rded and statistically analysed. Paralytic kyphosis (less than 90 degr ees at birth) occurred in 44.4% and increased linearly during further development. Sharp-angled kyphosis (90 degrees or more at birth) was p resent in 38.4% and also showed a linear progression, In both types, p rogression seemed to depend also on the level of paralysis. Congenital kyphosis occurred in 13.9% and we could find no significant factor wh ich correlated with progression.