Congenital kyphosis

Congenital kyphosis is an uncommon, but potentially devastating anomaly of the spine. Without treatment, the tendency is for severe, and sometimes catastrophic deformity. It is the most common etiology for spinal cord compression due to spine deformity, excluding tuberculosis. Few patients have nonprogressive benign lesions. Late treatment is difficult and dangerous. Braces and other forms of non-operative treatment do not work. The best treatment is early posterior fusion, before the curve reaches 50 degrees and before age 5 years. For curves over 60 degrees and over age 5, both posterior and anterior fusion are necessary. If cord compression exists, laminectomy is contraindicated. Anterior cord decompression and fusion are required.