Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
Etiology/Pathophysiology:
Due to congenital vertebral abnormalities, especially hemivertebra.
Hemivertebra can be single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral and
it acts as a wedge throwing the spine out of balance and functioning
as an unbalanced growth center that continues to worsen the curve.
Forty percent of patients with congenital scoliosis have an
intraspinous abnormalities such as diastematomyelia.
Pathology:
Not applicable
Imaging Findings:
Plain film shows a hemivertebra.
MRI of the spine is required to rule out other spinal abnormalities.
DDX:
References:
See References Chapter.
See related Provider Topics Bones, Joints and Muscles or Scoliosis.
See related Patient Topics Bones, Joints and Muscles or Scoliosis.
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