Detection and surveillance of idiopathic scoliosis

Detection and surveillance of idiopathic scoliosis. Spinal deformities are frequent in children. Detection on physical examination must be systematically performed especially in pre-puberty period because of the potential risk of progression. The main spinal pathology remains scoliosis, which affects 2 to 3% of the population. The presence of a rib hump is pathognomonic for the diagnosis of scoliosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by full-spine radiographs, on which a Cobb angle is > 10° and is associated to a vertebral rotation. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most frequent aetiology (80 to 90% of the cases). However, a secondary aetiology must be systematically evocated. The follow-up depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the deformity. A clinical and a radiological follow-up must be performed every 3 to 6 months and must be particularly close in younger patients.