Rib regeneration area as an indicator of fusion area in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

A tale of pseudo tail

STUDY DESIGN

A case report.

OBJECTIVE

To report on an interesting case of a symptomatic human pseudo tail in a 7-year-old girl, who had a lordotic deformity of the coccyx due to partial segmentation.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Caudal appendages are uncommon congenital malformations classified into two categories, true tails and pseudo tails, usually treated by surgical resection. Protrusion of the coccygeal vertebrae is considered the most common cause of pseudo tail.

METHODS

Summary of the surgical management, as well as an x-ray film of the coccyx 8 years postoperatively, is presented.

RESULTS

Total resection of the coccyx was successfully performed and all preoperative complaints of the patient were resolved shortly after the surgery. Follow-up 8 years later revealed regrowth of a small coccygeal bone, in normal alignment.

CONCLUSION

Segmentation failure of the coccyx vertebrae may lead to an abnormal position of the coccyx that may interfere with daily life and therefore require coccygectomy. A newly developed coccygeal bone, in normal alignment, may be present at site after several years.

External fixation for dynamic correction of severe scoliosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The ideal treatment for scoliosis may be the correction of the factors that cause the disease. An external fixation device was used in 12 patients to achieve a correction by dynamic distraction, compression and derotation of the curve. Follow-up was done over a 7-year period.

PURPOSE

To describe the treatment of inflexible and severe scoliosis by special correction with external fixation.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This was a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study, with a follow-up period of 7 years.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Twelve patients (9 female, 3 male) from the National Orthopaedic Institute Spine Service in external consultation.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Radiographic measurements with the scoliosis angulation of Cobb's method were used before surgery, after surgery and in the final follow-up period.

METHODS

The surgical procedure consisted of two stages, anterior and posterior approach, dissectomies, vertebrectomy at the apex, spinal column shortening and the placement of an external stabilization device. Progressive correction of the curve was done by a daily increase in distraction (3 mm/day). When the correction was finished, a different internal fixation device was used to maintain the correction. The time between initial treatment and final correction was 50 days. Ten thoracic curves, one thoracolumbar curve and one lumbar curve were treated, with an average of 93 degrees. All patients had kyphosis with an average of 89 degrees. Vertebral rotation was not found in two patients.

RESULTS

Average correction of scoliosis was 52.9% and of kyphosis, 29%. Vertebral rotation in eight cases was corrected. There were no neurological irreversible lesions in any patient. There was one infection. Using an evaluation result scale, there were 2 excellent, 6 good and 4 fair outcomes. The average loss of correction was 5 degrees.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the use of an external stabilization device with controlled compression on the convexity and distraction on the concavity of the curve can achieve a correction of up to 50% in scoliosis, 30% in kyphosis and 1 degree in the rotation of the spine.