Kyphoscoliosis, Child
Julia Crim, MD
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Common
Traumatic
Burst Thoracolumbar Fracture
Lateral Compression Fracture, Lumbar
Lateral Compression Fracture, Thoracic
Lateral Flexion Injury, Cervical
Chance Fracture, Thoracic
Congenital
Scoliosis and Kyphosis, Congenital
Failure of Vertebral Formation
Klippel-Feil Spectrum
Partial Vertebral Duplication
Tethered Spinal Cord
Caudal Regression Syndrome
Scoliosis, Idiopathic
Scheuermann Disease
Scoliosis, Neuromuscular
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Kyphosis, Idiopathic
Kyphosis Normal in Infants
Less Common
Infection
Osteomyelitis, Pyogenic
Osteomyelitis, Granulomatous
Prevertebral Abscess
Post-Operative Infection
Tumor
Osteoid Osteoma
Osteoblastoma
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst
Ewing Sarcoma
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Syringomyelia
Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Connective Tissue Disorders
Post-Operative Spinal Complications
Diastematomyelia
Rare but Important
Post-Radiation
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Key Differential Diagnosis Issues
MR may be useful in certain cases
Painful scoliosis: Tumor, infection
Atypical curve: Often have underlying bony or neural abnormalities
Congenital scoliosis: Assess full extent of bony abnormalities
CT useful to characterize congenital scoliosis
Helpful Clues for Common Diagnoses
Congenital curve may progress rapidly, especially if it includes unfused hemivertebrae
Scheuermann kyphosis presents in adolescence, may be misdiagnosed as fracture
Involves multiple levels, see Schmorl nodes or undulation of endplates without angular deformityStay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree