Poland's Scoliosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Poland's syndrome (PS) is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by the absence of the pectoralis major. The associated anomalies are well described in the literature, while scoliosis in PS has received very little attention.

A 16-year-old male presented with complaints of worsening deformity in his back with associated pain due to right iliocostal impingement. On examination, he had absent chest wall muscles, pectus carinatum, and a protuberant abdomen with a hypoplastic right nipple. Radiographic studies showed a rigid thoracolumbar scoliotic curve that did not reduce with halo gravity traction for one month. He underwent posterior-only deformity correction using multiple apical Smith-Peterson osteotomy. During the third-year follow-up visit, the coronal balance was maintained with SRS-22r scores of 4.4% from 2.6% preoperatively.

Scoliosis in Poland syndrome is a rare trait. The absence of the pectoralis major, coupled with the absence of other chest wall muscles, might be the cause of scoliosis in PS. If symptomatic, it can be managed similarly to early-onset scoliosis to prevent further complications.