Congenital Scoliosis

The third volume of Progress in Spinal Pathology gathers a selection of papers presented at the 7th National Meeting of the Italian Scoliosis Research Group on Congenital Scoliosis. Up until 20 years ago congenital scoliosis was considered to be a practically benign disease characterized by a slight progression of spinal deformity and its prognosis was consequently good. This statement has recently turned out to be too optimistic. Deeper studies on spinal pathology have proved the existence of highly progressive forms of congenital scoliosis often associated with other diseases affecting the urinary and cardiac systems and above all the spinal cord. As a result a careful evaluation of the patient is necessary before any type of surgical treatment may be initiated, in order to reduce the risk of irreversible lesions to the spinal cord to a minimum. This volume encompasses all clinical and diagnostic aspects of the subject including the latest achievements and techniques of treatment. Furthermore it is completed by eminent studies on subjects of great interest such as imperfect osteogenesis, cervical and cranial abnormalities in von Recklinghausen's disease, experimental comparative analysis of different types of instrumentation used in the surgical treatment of vertebral fractures, rib resection following vertebral arthrodesis for cases of thoracic idiopathic scoliosis, and anesthesia in vertebral surgery for spinal muscle atrophy.