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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27(05): 529-544
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772168
Review Article

Scoliosis

Maxime Lacroix 
1   Department of Radiology, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
2   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
,
Marc Khalifé
3   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Européen Georges- Pompidou, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
,
Emmanuelle Ferrero
3   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Européen Georges- Pompidou, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
,
Olivier Clément
1   Department of Radiology, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
,
Christelle Nguyen
4   Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
,
Antoine Feydy
2   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Abstract

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that can occur at any age. It may be idiopathic or secondary in children, idiopathic and degenerative in adults. Management of patients with scoliosis is multidisciplinary, involving rheumatologists, radiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and prosthetists. Imaging plays a central role in diagnosis, including the search for secondary causes, follow-up, and preoperative work-up if surgery is required. Evaluating scoliosis involves obtaining frontal and lateral full-spine radiographs in the standing position, with analysis of coronal and sagittal alignment. For adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, imaging follow-up is often required, accomplished using low-dose stereoradiography such as EOS imaging. For adult degenerative scoliosis, the crucial characteristic is rotatory subluxation, also well detected on radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging is usually more informative than computed tomography for visualizing associated canal and foraminal stenoses. Radiologists must also have a thorough understanding of postoperative features and complications of scoliosis surgery because aspects can be misleading.

Keywords

scoliosis - spine - alignment - deformity - surgery


Publication History

Article published online:
10 October 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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