Curve progression in de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis combined with degenerative segment disease after short-segment fusion

PURPOSE

To validate the reliability of Berjano and Lamartina classification system of surgical planning in cases of de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DNDLS) combined with degenerative segment disease and identify factors contributing to curve progression.

METHODS

Fifty-four cases of type I or II DNDLS were retrospectively reviewed. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for the back and leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. Radiographic parameters were obtained from X-rays. Improvements in HRQOL were confirmed by a paired t test. Changes in radiographic parameters were confirmed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Clinical relevance between spinopelvic parameters and Cobb angle progression was analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 36.8 ± 14.8 months. The scores taken preoperatively versus at the last follow-up were as follows: mean VAS back score, 4.5 ± 2.4 versus 1.8 ± 1.5 (p < 0.01); and mean VAS leg score, 5.2 ± 2.5 versus 1.7 ± 2.1 (p < 0.01). The ODI score improved from 25.3 ± 8.9% to 10.1 ± 5.4% (p < 0.01), whereas the mean JOA score improved from 14.3 ± 4.9 to 21.0 ± 3.7 (p < 0.01). The mean Cobb angle decreased from 17.1° ± 7.4° to 9.4° ± 4.5° postoperatively but worsened to 14.1° ± 6.4° at the last follow-up with a mean progression of 2.1° per year. Cobb angle correction was lost at a mean 2.1° ± 3.3° per year with correlation to T1 pelvic angle and sagittal vertical axis preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective decompression and short-segment fusion were effective for treating type I and II cases DNDLS. The Cobb angle increased relative to preoperative sagittal spine alignment. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Functional outcome of non-surgical and surgical management for de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis: a mean follow-up of 10 years

Background

No studies have evaluated the long-term results of non-surgical and surgical management in de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DNDLS). This study reports on the long-term functional outcome of patients being treated for DNDLS by non-surgical and surgical management.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of a single center database of DNDLS patients that underwent surgical or usual non-surgical management between 1996 and 2007. In a total of 88 patients, 50 (57%) underwent non-surgical and 38 (43%) surgical management. Baseline demographic, radiological-, clinical-, and surgical-related variables were collected. An Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) 2.0 questionnaire was sent to all patients after written informed consent.

Results

Twenty-nine of 88 patients participated in the study, 15 (52%) had undergone surgical and 14 (48%) non-surgical management with a mean follow-up of 10.9 years (range 8-15 years). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between non-surgical and surgical patients at baseline for age, body mass index, coronal Cobb angle, and clinical data. None of the non-surgical patients had undergone surgery during follow-up. In the surgical group, 40% had revision surgery. There was no significant difference in ODI total scores between groups at final follow-up (p = 0.649). A larger proportion of patients in the non-surgical group reported an ODI total score of ≤ 22, reflecting minimal disability (43 versus 20%; p = 0.245).

Conclusions

This is the first study that describes the long-term 10-year functional outcome of non-surgical and surgical management in a cohort of patients with DNDLS. No significant difference in functional outcome was found between groups after a mean follow-up of 10 years. Despite the significant potential for selection bias, these results indicate that non-surgical management of patients with DNDLS may lead to adequate functional outcome after long periods of time, with no crossover to surgery. Further study is warranted to define which patients may benefit most from which management regimen.

Risk Factors and Natural History of De Novo Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis in a Community-Based Cohort: The Miyama Study

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective study of de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis in a community-based cohort.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate risk factors and natural history of de novo scoliosis in the elderly.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Most previous studies have focused on the risk of progression with greater curve magnitude, which often manifests with serious clinical symptoms. There have only been a few reports regarding the etiology of de novo scoliosis.

METHODS

Subjects (n = 400) were selected by sex and age from a list of 1,543 district residents, born from 1910 to 1949; 50 men and 50 women were selected from each age decade. Radiographic examinations of the lumbar spine in anteroposterior and lateral views were performed in 1990 and repeated in 2005 and 2008. De novo scoliosis was defined as newly developed scoliosis (a Cobb angle of 10° or greater and an increase in Cobb angle 5° or greater) in 2005 or 2008.

RESULTS

Evaluation of radiographic surveys was completed for 200 of the 400 participants in 2005 and for 154 in 2008. De novo scoliosis was found in 33 inhabitants in 2005 and 24 in 2008. The scoliotic angles were less than 30°. During the follow-up period, significant asymmetric intervertebral disc degeneration developed, especially in the upper lumbar spine (p < .03), and lumbar coronal imbalance was significantly increased (p = .016). Logistic regression analysis, which was performed with the occurrence of scoliosis as an objective factor, identified L3 rotation as a significant risk factor (odds ratio, 13.95; 95% confidence interval, 4.05-52.34; p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This epidemiological study using radiography of the lumbar spine suggests that patients with asymmetric intervertebral disc degeneration and rotation of L3 in initial radiography without scoliosis should be closely followed up to observe the occurrence of scoliosis. Although the incidence of de novo scoliosis increases with age, scoliosis is usually benign.