2006 Preoperative MRI In Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Description: Surendra Bandi, Tapan D. Sethi, Ben J. Davis, Vinay Jasani, Jayesh B. Trivedi, El-Nasri B. Ahmed: Preoperative MRI In Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. The Internet Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 2006. Volume 3 Number 1
Introduction: The literature supporting routine preoperative MRI scanning in patients with late onset idiopathic scoliosis is less certain. Our objective in this study is to evaluate the need for routine use of preoperative MRI in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Methods: Retrospective study of patients' notes and MRI scans presenting with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis from 1999-2004.All patients were evaluated with MRI of brain and whole spine. Those with neural axis abnormalities on MRI were referred for a neurosurgical opinion Results: Eight (20%) of the thirty- nine patients were found to have a neural axis abnormality on MRI. Four patients (10%) required neurosurgical intervention prior to scoliosis correction. Discussion and Conclusion: Failure to identify neural axis abnormalities prior to surgical correction of scoliosis places the patient at risk of neurological complications. We feel from our experience that MRI scanning is mandatory in the preoperative assessment for those being considered for surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis