SYRINGOMYELIA AND SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN

We reviewed 28 patients <18 years of age with scoliosis and syringomye lia. Children with scoliosis and syringomyelia had an equal incidence of left- and right- sided curves with a normal sagittal alignment. Mos t were first seen at Risser 0 with significant curves, and curve progr ession occurred in half of the patients. Bracing was not effective in preventing curve progression. Neurologic signs, present in most childr en, stabilized after syrinx drainage. Nether the sex or age of the chi ld, nor the type of curve, nor the drainage of the syrinx was predicti ve of curve progression.