[Idiopathic scoliosis in a student population]

The etiology of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis is a relevant problem in the fields of scholastic medicine and orthopaedics. This disease affects a population of pre-adolescent between ten and fifteen years of age. This study is based on our observations within a population of junior high school students in a suburban town of central Italy. Our data are based on clinical examinations, and the analysis of biophysical and environmental factors evidentiate the genetic and hereditary factors that are of prime importance in the pathogenesis of thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. It's our goal, to inform the scholastic doctor, the orthopaedist, the pediatrician and the internist on the main clinical and evolutionary aspects of thoracic idiopathic scoliosis and other related vertebral pathology. We therefore believe, that a good diagnosis should be based on a thorough genetic and clinical examination; not to mention an examination of vertebral bone morphology in order to exclude other forms of thoracic scoliosis.