Bioelectric activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus-pineal gland system in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis : a review of aetiological theories of a multifactorial disease

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), defined by an age at presentation of 11 to 18 years, has a prevalence of 0.47% and accounts for approximately 90% of all cases of idiopathic scoliosis. Despite decades of research, the exact aetiology of AIS remains unknown. It is becoming evident that it is the result of a complex interplay of genetic, internal, and environmental factors. It has been hypothesized that genetic variants act as the initial trigger that allow epigenetic factors to propagate AIS, which could also explain the wide phenotypic variation in the presentation of the disorder. A better understanding of the underlying aetiological mechanisms could help to establish the diagnosis earlier and allow a more accurate prediction of deformity progression. This, in turn, would prompt imaging and therapeutic intervention at the appropriate time, thereby achieving the best clinical outcome for this group of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(8):915-921.

Scoliosis: Causes and Treatments

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine, which generally develops during childhood or adolescence. It affects 2–4 percent of the global population and is more prevalent among girls. Scoliosis is classified by its etiology: idiopathic, congenital, or neuromuscular. Among these, the former is the most common. Treatment options for scoliosis vary depending on the severity of the curve. Most scoliosis diagnoses tend to be mild and only require monitoring. However, curves between 20 and 40 degrees require bracing, while 40 degrees and above require surgery. There are various bracings available, such as Boston, Charleston, and Milwaukee. In severe cases of scoliosis, either fusion or fusionless surgery may be required. This review aims to discuss etiologies and different treatment interventions for scoliosis.

Research progress on the etiology and pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a complicated three-dimensional spinal deformity with early-onset, receives continuous attention but remains unclear. To gain an insight into AIS pathogenesis, this review searched PubMed database up to June 2019, using key words or medical subject headings terms including "adolescent idiopathic scoliosis," "scoliosis," "pathogenesis," "etiology," "genetics," "mesenchymal stem cells," and their combinations, summarized existing literatures and categorized the theories or hypothesis into nine aspects. These aspects include bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell studies, genetic studies, tissue analysis, spine biomechanics measurements, neurologic analysis, hormone studies, biochemical analysis, environmental factor analysis, and lifestyle explorations. These categories could be a guidance for further etiology or treatment researches to gain inspiration.