European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS AND PREOPERATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Raed Wagokh, MD, Mohammad Obeidat MD, Omar Bashmaf MD, Belal Al Tarawneh MD, Bassm H. Harahsheh MD, Moayad Abu Qa'oud md and Raed Al Zaben MD*

ABSTRACT

Aim: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a challenging disease to manage. As patients might require major demanding surgeries, careful preoperative assessment is required. In this study, we aim to elaborate the role of MRI in this particular patient's population and assess it's importance in routine preoperative evaluation. Methods: From December 2016 to July 2019, a total of 42 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were evaluated. We will study a total of 42 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at the spine clinic of our institute. All patients to be included in the study are diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a surgical curve pattern and had a complete physical and neurologic examination. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and the spinal cord were performed as part of their preoperative work-up. The study group included 3 male patients and 17 female patients. The average age at the time of the imaging study was 13.6 years (range, 10.2-19.1 years). The average curve was 54 degrees (range, 41-79 degrees). Results: Six abnormalities were seen. There were four cases of Arnold-Chiari type I malformation, pediatric neurology and neurosurgical evaluations were obtained. Surgery was not thought to be contraindicated, and both underwent fusion without incidents. Two patients were found to have a collection of fat in the body of T10. This was thought to be benign, and surgery was performed without any major complications. In eight cases, the report on the initial MRI was equivocal but not necessitating further studies. In four other cases, the question of a dural sac deformity was raised. These films were subsequently reviewed in a double blinded fashion and found to be normal except for scoliosis. The rest of cases showed no MRI abnormalities besides AIS. Conclusion: We think that routine preoperative MRI is probably not indicated in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis if the patient has a normal neurologic examination.

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