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Neurocentral synchondrosis screws to create and correct experimental deformity: a pilot study
1The Center for Excellence in Spine Research, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219, USA. hong.zhang@tsrh.org
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|October 2, 2010
Summary
Pedicle screws applied to the neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) in pigs can induce scoliosis. A second set of screws reversed the deformity, showing potential for scoliosis correction.
Area of Science:
- Spinal surgery
- Orthopedics
- Animal models
Background:
- Unilateral pedicle screw epiphysiodesis of the neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) can induce scoliosis in immature animal models.
- This study investigates if a pre-existing scoliosis can be corrected by modulating NCS growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if experimentally induced scoliosis in pigs can be limited and corrected by modulating neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) growth.
- To evaluate the efficacy of pedicle screw epiphysiodesis in correcting scoliosis.
Main Methods:
- Nine 1-month-old pigs were divided into sham, scoliosis-untreated, and scoliosis-treated groups.
- Pedicle screws were placed across the NCS (T7-T14) in experimental groups.
- A second set of screws was placed contralaterally in the scoliosis-treated group after 6 weeks.
Main Results:
- No scoliosis was observed in the sham group.
- The scoliosis-untreated group developed an average curve of 34°.
- The scoliosis-treated group showed a 41% correction, with an average curve of 20°.
Conclusions:
- Pedicle screw epiphysiodesis effectively inhibits NCS overgrowth, preventing scoliosis progression.
- This method can create and reverse scoliosis in an immature pig model.
- NCS screw epiphysiodesis shows potential for scoliosis correction.
