Scoliosis Definitions

Apical

The most rotated vertebra in a curve; the most deviated vertebra from the patient's vertical axis.

Abbot cast

An under the arm cast, covering the torso, that's used to hold the spine in place.

Cobb Angle

Degree of curvature measured on an x-ray.

Compensatory curve

A curve, which can be structural, above or below a major curve that compensates in an attempt to maintain normal body alignment.

Congenital

Present at and existing from the time of birth.

Chest wall

In respiratory physiology, the total system of structures outside the lungs that move as a part of breathing; it includes the rib cage, diaphragm, abdominal wall, and abdominal contents.

CT scan

Computed Tomography or Computed Axial Tomography - x-ray images obtained that cannot be seen on a standard x-ray. Multiple images are taken and compiled by a computer to create complete, cross sectional pictures (slices) of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels. Used as an early diagnosis tool for many diseases.

Diaphragm

The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen.

Hypo plastic thorax

A condition that leaves children with a very small rib cage with little room for the lungs to grow and expand.

Harrington Rods

The Harrington Rod is one of the oldest and most proven forms of spinal instrumentation. It is used to straighten and stabilize the spine when curvature is greater than 60 degrees. The rod was created in 1962 by Dr Harrington in Houston, Texas.

Hemi vertebrae

Commonly referred to as "butterfly vertebrae" and the most common cause of congenital scoliosis. The complete failure of a vertebra to form on one side. Growth occurs on the upper and lower surfaces of the hemi vertebra and the absence of two growth plates on the unformed side acts as a wedge on one side of the spine resulting in increasing scoliosis. Hemi vertebra may be single, multiple, and occur at all levels of the spine (M.J. McMaster, James IV Lecture, 9/12/2001).

Iliac crest

The large, prominent portion of the pelvic bone at the belt line of the body.

Kyphosis

The spine is curved in an outward direction, rather than sideways.

Lordosis

An abnormal increase in the normal lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - diagnostic device which uses a strong magnetic field to create images of the body's internal parts.

Orthopaedics

(Also Orthopedics) - The medical specialty involved in the preservation and restoration of function of the musculoskeletal system that includes treatment of spinal disorders and peripheral nerve lesions.

Plagiocephaly

A plastic deformation of the skull that occurs when an immobile infant habitually lies toward one side and the action of gravity deforms the immature plastic skull. In nearly 100% infantile scoliosis cases in Scotland, plagiocephaly matching the sidedness of the curve is present. Thus, a depression on the left side of the skull occurs in correlation with a depression in the left side of the thorax. According to Dr. Michael J. McMaster, M. D. F.R.C.S., the same asymmetric forces that cause the postural molding of the head also cause a similar molding of the child's immature torso, resulting in scoliosis.

Rib fusion

A medical condition of the ribs being stuck together.

Rib hump

Also called Rib Prominence, as the spine curves abnormally the involved vertebrae are forced to rotate. Rotation at the thoracic level impacts the rib cage resulting in rib prominence on the opposite side of the curve.

Risser Cast

An over the shoulders cast that covers the torso from the top of the chest, to the bottom of the hips. It's used to keep the back immobilized so it can not twist, turn or bend.

Rotation

The movement of one vertebra to another about its normal or abnormal coronal axis.

RVAD

Rib Vertebral Angle Degree - as described by Dr. Min H. Mehta is the angle formed on each side between the apical thoracic vertebra and its corresponding rib. The rib-vertebra angle difference is the difference between the rib-vertebral angle on the convexity of the curve subtracted from that on the concavity and may be either a positive or negative value. In a normal spine the rib-vertebra angle difference at any vertebra is zero.

Scoliosis

Lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a three dimensional problem.

Spinal Fusion

Surgical operation to stabilize the spine by taking away movement in the vertebrae involved in the spinal curvature

Spondylolisthesis

A defect in the construct of bone between the superior and inferior facets with varying degrees of displacement so the vertebra with the defect and the spine above that vertebra are displaced forward in relationship to the vertebrae below. It is usually due to a developmental defect or the result of a fracture.

Syrinx

Fluid filled cyst in the spinal cord.

Syringomyelia

Neurological condition where a fluid filled cyst forms in the spinal cord.

Thorax

The part of the trunk between the neck and abdomen, containing that part of the body cavity, the walls of which are supported by the dorsal vertebrae, ribs, and the sternum, and which the heart and lungs are situated; the chest.

TLSO

Thoraco-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis- this removable, plastic, brace opens in the front and is held closed by adjustable Velcro straps.

Trachea

The windpipe, a fibro cartilaginous tube lined with mucous membrane passing from the larynx to the bronchi.

Tracheotomy

The operation of making an opening into the windpipe.

Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome

The lack of ability of the chest to grow to support normal breathing or lung growth.

Titanium Rib

VEPTR - Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib - An expandable titanium metal rod placed in a vertical position alongside the spine attached to ribs and pelvis, or the spine. The VEPTR expands and supports a deformed chest wall cavity giving the lungs room to operate and grow. Used to treat many chest wall deforming and/or spine defect diagnosis's which result in Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome.

Ventilator

A machine that mechanically assists patients in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Vertebral Stapling

Vertebral body stapling is a procedure which involves the use of staples to treat patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The staples are surgically inserted into the vertebra of the patient. The most common staple is made out of 50% Titanium and 50% Nickel.

Vertebral anomalies

Congenital deformity of the spine where there is an absence or deficiency in a number of growth plates on one side of the spine resulting in a localized imbalance in the longitudinal growth of the spine and a increase in curvature as the child grows. (M. J. Mc Master, James IV Lecture, 9/12/2001). Divided into two groups, Defect of Formation and Defect of Segmentation.

Unilateral unsegmented bar

The second most common cause of congenital scoliosis. A unilateral failure of vertebral segmentation affecting two or more vertebrae, usually over three vertebrae. The unsegmented bar does not contain growth plates and does not grow longitudinally. (M.J. McMaster, James IV Lecture, 9/12/2001).

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