Progressive curvature to the spine that is noted during the preadolescent growth spurt. Due to congenital vertebral abnormalities, especially hemivertebra. Hemivertebra can be single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral and it acts as a wedge throwing the spine out of balance and functioning as an unbalanced growth center that continues to worsen the curve. Forty percent of patients with congenital scoliosis have an intraspinous abnormalities such as diastematomyelia.
Plain film shows a hemivertebra.
MRI of the spine is required to rule out other spinal abnormalities. See References Chapter. All rights reserved.