SCOLIOSIS AND FUSED RIBS - A CASE-REPORT

Study Design. This case report illustrates a scoliotic patient with co ngenital fusion of several ribs associated with a thoracic curvature. Objectives. To report the procedure used to correct scoliosis in assoc iation with congenitally fused ribs. Summary of Background Data. All c ases of congenitally fused ribs reported in the literature are associa ted with malformed vertebrae. For this reason; the only proposed treat ment for patients with progressive scoliosis is a spinal fusion. This report presents the first case of progressive scoliosis associated wit h fused ribs but without vertebral malformation, that was managed by r esection of these ribs. Methods. When worsening of the thoracic scolio sis was observed from 30 degrees at 13 months to 44 degrees at 4 years , the three fused ribs were resected en bloc. No spinal fusion was per formed. The spine was held in correction by a localizer cast for 3 mon ths. Results. Fourteen years after treatment, the spine is almost norm al; thoracic and lumbar curves are 10 degrees. Conclusions. When malfo rmed fused ribs are on the concave side of a progressive scoliosis wit h no vertebral malformation at the same level, resection of these ribs is probably an efficient and sufficient method of treatment.