Syringomyelia and scoliosis in children

We reviewed 28 patients < 18 years of age with scoliosis and syringomyelia. Children with scoliosis and syringomyelia had an equal incidence of left- and right-sided curves with a normal sagittal alignment. Most were first seen at Risser 0 with significant curves, and curve progression occurred in half of the patients. Bracing was not effective in preventing curve progression. Neurologic signs, present in most children, stabilized after syrinx drainage. Neither the sex or age of the child, nor the type of curve, nor the drainage of the syrinx was predictive of curve progression.