Curve flexibility in cerebral palsy-related neuromuscular scoliosis: does the intraoperative prone radiograph reveal more flexibility than preoperative radiographs?

摘要

BackgroundSpinal flexibility is determined preoperatively by manipulating the spine and assessing, radiographically, to what extent the amount of deformity reduces. Quantifying spinal flexibility is important when determining the approach to the planned operation in order to achieve the most optimal spinal correction and balance. Currently, supine traction radiography is a popular method used in patients with severe, cerebral palsy-related neuromuscular scoliosis.The different methods for determining spinal flexibility have been studied extensively in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis population. No such studies exist in the cerebral palsy population. The purpose of this study was to determine how predictive the intraoperative prone radiograph is in determining spinal flexibility in patients with severe, cerebral palsy related neuromuscular scoliosis.  Furthermore, the intraoperative prone radiograph was compared to the preoperatively acquired supine and supine traction radiographs.