The Adolescent Spine

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most characteristic disorder of the adolescent spine. It is a three-dimensional (3D) disorder that occurs from 10 years of age and comprises 90% of all idiopathic scolioses. Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with AIS. Modern imaging offers 3D assessment of scoliosis with less radiation exposure. Imaging helps rule out occult conditions that cause spinal deformity. Various imaging methods are also used to assess skeletal maturity in patients with AIS, thus determining the growth spurt and risk of progression of scoliosis. This article provides a brief overview of the pathophysiology, biomechanics, clinical features, and modern imaging of AIS relevant to radiologists in clinical settings.

Scoliosis

“…1 Idiopathic scoliosis is further classified according to the patient's age (immature or mature skeleton), whereas nonidiopathic scoliosis is further classified according to the cause. 2 In skeletally immature patients, idiopathic scoliosis is by far the most frequent, usually diagnosed at puberty. Non-idiopathic scoliosis may be congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, or tumor associated.…”