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Occult spinal dysraphism and its association with hip dysplasia in females
1Orthopaedics and Traumatology Centre, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Hip dysplasia is linked to occult spinal dysraphism, particularly in females. This study found spinal defects in 23% of hip dysplasia patients, suggesting a common co-existence.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition.
- Occult spinal dysraphism involves incomplete closure of the posterior vertebral arch, often asymptomatic.
- The relationship between hip dysplasia and spinal abnormalities requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-existence of hip dysplasia and occult spinal dysraphism.
- To determine if spinal defects are more prevalent in patients with hip dysplasia.
Main Methods:
- Pelvic radiographs of patients over 12 years old were analyzed.
- Hip dysplasia was defined by specific radiographic criteria (Shenton's line, femoral head coverage).
- Patients with known teratological or neurological causes of hip dysplasia were excluded.
Main Results:
- A posterior vertebral arch defect was found in 23% of hip dysplasia patients versus 12% in controls.
- The L5 and S1 vertebrae were the most common sites for defects in both groups.
- Females with hip dysplasia showed a significantly higher prevalence of spinal defects compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Occult spinal dysraphism is frequently associated with hip dysplasia, especially in females.
- Radiographic screening for spinal abnormalities may be warranted in patients diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms connecting these conditions.
Abstract:
We examined the pelvic radiographs of two groups of patients (more than 12 years of age) from six medical centres. Hip dysplasia was considered to be present if Shenton's line was broken and more than one third of the femoral head was revealed to be uncovered in an antero-posterior radiograph of the pelvis. Patients with hip dysplasia due to teratological or neurological causes were excluded. There were 291 patients with treated or untreated hip dysplasia in the dysplastic group. The control group of 415 individuals was collected from consecutive outpatients (with a pre-set standardised female/male ratio) for whom an antero-posterior radiograph of the pelvis had been made in one of two medical centres and which did not disclose any abnormality of the hip joints. The aim of the study was to assess the co-existence of hip dysplasia and occult spinal dysraphism. Radiographs of all patients were examined, and any partial or complete defect of the posterior vertebral arch was recorded. In the dysplastic group, a defect was recorded in 23% (67/291) radiographs and in the control group in 12% (48/415). In both groups, L5 and S1 were the most commonly recorded sites with a defect. In the dysplastic group, a defect was recorded in 56/190 females and in the control group in 30/302 females. In males, there was no significant difference between the recorded findings in the two groups. In females with hip dysplasia, occult spinal dysraphism seems to be fairly common.
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