Scoliosis Orthopedic Surgery Combined With Nusinersen Intrathecal Injection Significantly Improved the Outcome of...

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variation of the survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene. Symptoms of SMA include progressive limb muscle weakness, atrophy, and severe scoliosis. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that can enhance the production of the SMN protein. Here, we report a case with scoliosis who received orthopedic surgery combined with Nusinersen intrathecal injections.

Scoliosis orthopedic surgery followed by Nusinersen intrathecal injections was given to a 16-year-old girl who had thoracic and lumbar scoliosis and type 3 SMA. Surgery was performed for T3-S2 posterolateral fusion (PLF), with a channel left on the vertebral laminae of L3-L4. The balance of the spine and pelvis was significantly improved and the height increased by 9 cm. Lumbar puncture was conducted with local anesthesia under ultrasound and CT guidance through the laminae channel and Nusinersen was successfully injected. Comparing the two approaches, real-time ultrasound guidance for intrathecal Nusinersen injections after spinal surgery is preferred, however, CT guidance is an alternative if the initial puncture procedure is difficult. After the aforementioned multidisciplinary treatment, a good outcome was achieved, as demonstrated by a 2-point increase in RULM and MFM32 scores 2 months later.

Scoliosis orthopedic surgery combined with Nusinersen intrathecal injection is an effective treatment for SMA patients with scoliosis.