The sagittal profile of the cervical and lumbosacral spine in Scheuermann thoracic kyphosis

The sagittal profiles of the cervical and lumbar spine have not been studie d in Scheuermann kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the se profiles. Standing lateral radiographs of the spine in 34 children with Scheuermann kyphosis were reviewed. Cervical lordosis, lumbar lordosis, tho racic kyphosis, sagittal vertebral axis, and sacral inclination were measur ed. The relations between these variables were explored using the Pearson c orrelation. The average patient age was 15.5 +/- 1.8 years, thoracic kyphos is was 65 degrees +/- 12 degrees, lumbar lordosis 71 degrees +/- 13 degrees , and cervical lordosis 4 degrees +/- 15 degrees (Cobb angle), and 9 degree s +/- 14 degrees (posterior vertebral body angle [PVBA]). No correlations w ere noted between cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. Correlations wer e noted between cervical lordosis and lumbar lordosis (r(2) = 0.17, Cobb an gle; r(2) = 0.16, PVBA) and between cervical lordosis and the residual sagi ttal difference (thoracic kyphosis minus lumbar lordosis; r(2) = 0.32, p = 0.001 [Cobb angle], and r(2) = 0.19, p = 0.01 [PVBA]). In Scheuermann kypho sis, the flexible cervical and lumbar spine is linked by the intermediate r igid thoracic segment. As the residual sagittal difference becomes more kyp hotic, lordosis of the cervical spine increases as the patient strives to m aintain a forward visual gaze.