[CASE 2] Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)

The patient is a healthy-appearing 14-year-old female with complaints of scoliosis. Her deformity was first observed 1.5 years prior to the visit, and has been progressed rapidly as the patient grows rapidly.

Her standing station demonstrates a slightly higher right shoulder with minimal pelvic asymmetry. A right rib hump was identified during the Adam’s forwarding bending test. EOS image demonstrates an S-shape curvature across the thoracic and lumbar spine with the thoracic curve of 54 degrees and thoracolumbar curve of 80 degrees by Cobb angle.

We diagnosed her with severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with remaining growth potential. The patient underwent posterior column fusion from T4-L4 in order to (1) prevent deformity progression, and (2) obtain an optiomal balance. After the surgery, there was a significant improvement in the thoracic angle (23 degrees) and thoracolumbar angle (24 degrees).