Early Onset, Infantile & Congenital Scoliosis General Treatments and Surgeries Papers and Studies:

This paper is from April of 2012 and discusses current treatments and controversies of treatments including serial casting, bracing, growing rods, VEPTR, etc. for EOS.  EOS – Current Concepts and Controversies – 2012

An early paper that really describes resolving and progressive scoliosis and also covers RVAD measurements Progressive and resolving infantile idiopathic scoliosis

The link below is another study that was published in October/November of 2012 about modern treatment and results for EOS  Early Onset Scoliosis – Modern Treatment and Results

This study is from September 2012 where they studies 4 methods for measuring curves in EOS.   The conclusions from this study  recommends the pedicle method for measuring curvature regardless of severity and not the COB measurement.  Comparative Analysis of 4 Curvature Measurement Methods in EOS

This study is from 2010 and concludes the literature does not support routine definitive fusion of thoracic spinal deformity at an early age in children with scoliosis. Spinal Fusion in EOS – What We Have Learned – 2011

Below is a link to a study published in August of 2013.  This is a study done on a new simple surgical treatment option for young congenital scoliosis patients with thoracic hemivertebraes. This is actually a procedure our surgeon is discussing with us an a possible conservative option. Convex Short Segment Instrumentation and Hemi-Chevron Osteotomies for Putti Type 1 Thoracic Hemivertebrae

This link is to a paper published in 2004  and discusses the successful surgical technique for spinal stabilization after congenital hemivertebra excision in infants and young children with relatively small and soft bones when standard constructs like pedicle screws may not be optimal devices. New Technique in Congenital Scoliosis Involving Fixation to Pelvis After Hemivertrebra Excision

A new study published in May of 2014 shows Instrumented CGA can safely be used in long sweeping curves of immature spines and in deformities where vertebral column resection would be inappropriate due to growth potential. With this technique, an anterior procedure is not required and unnecessary thoracotomy and 2-stage surgery can be avoided. Moreover, it guarantees some degree of correction in all patients due to the instrumentation effect, somewhat eliminating the unpredictable nature of classic CGA. Safety & Efficacy of Intrumented Convex Growth Arrest in Treatment of Congenital Scoliosis

This paper is from 2013 and states children managed for TIS using a consistent protocol received iatrogenic radiation doses that were on average 4 times the estimated average US background radiation exposure of 3 mSv/yr. CT scans comprised 74% of the total dose. Radiation Exposure to Patients with EOS and Chest Wall Deformities – 2013

This paper is from 2001 and studies hemivertebrae excision in very young kids, under 34 mos old Hemivertabral Excision for Congenital Scoliosis in Very Young Children

Hemivertebrea Resection for Treatment of Congenital Lumbarspinal Scoliosis – Lateral-Posterior Approach – this study was published in 2001

Excision of Hemivertebrae & Wedge Resection In Treatment of Congenital Scoliosis – this study was published in 1995

This study was published in 2001 Excision of hemivertebrae In The Management of Congenital Scoliosis Involving Thoracis & Thoracumbular Spine

Thoracic hemivertebra resection by posterior approach

Posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion for CS more than 3 yr outcomes and analysis

This paper was published in October 2013, It’s a review of recent technical advances and problems associated with the surgical treatment of scoliosis in children Updates On Surgical Treatments for EOS

This 2010 study shows spinal deformity is apparently not well controlled by early fusion since revision surgery has been required in 24% to 39% of patients who underwent presumed definitive fusion in early childhood. Early_Definitive_Spinal_Fusion-What_We_Have_Learned

Evaluating_The_Extent_of_Clinical_Uncertainty_Among_Treatment_Options_for_EOS

Casting Papers and Studies:

The first study showing serial derotational casting is an effective time-buying strategy to delay the surgical interventions in congenital
deformities. Published January 2015 Casting Congenital JPO 2015

An early study that shows the importance of derotational casting in serial casting Derotational Casting For Infantile Scoliosis

The paper below is from 2007 but discusses how casting has become a viable option again and how’s it’s different from what casting used to be like years ago. Casting and traction treatment methods for scoliosis

The link below is the most recent study I could find about serial casting as a delay technique in EOS scoliosis.  This study was published in October/November of 2012  Serial Casting as Delay Tactic Study

 Pulmonary Function Studies and Papers:

The link below talks about how Progressive scoliosis alters lung function by reducing chest wall compliance and can produce an increasingly asymmetric lung size.   Published in 2007 Lung function asymmetry in children with congenital and infantile scoliosis

This paper is from 2011 showing pulmonary function, lung volume, and patient subjective assessments did not decrease dramatically after VEPTR placement but scoliosis angels did improve.   VEPTR – Does It Improve Pulmonary Function

Growing Rods Papers and Studies:

Below is a link to a new study that was just published in October 2013.  This study goes over lessons learned from patients with growing rods.
Growing Rod Graduates – Lessons Learned from 99 Patients Who Completed Lengthening

This study from 2010 is about the complications in growing rod surgeries in EOS Complications of Growth-Sparing Surgery in EOS

The link below is a study done regarding Neurological risks that happen in growing rod surgeries in kids with EOS. This was published in 2010 Neurological Risk in Growing Rod Spine Surgery in EOS

Postoperative concerns in pediatric patients undergoing different types of scoliosis correction surgery: Many concerns: Post‑operative ventilation may be required in 20‑35% patients.Despite GR insertion involving lesser blood loss; younger age, congenital abnormalities, positioning, and surgical manipulation resulted in life threatening events in these patients. Perioperative concerns in pediatric patients undergoing surgery

VEPTR Papers and Studies:

Below is a link to a study pulmonary function the VEPTR growing rod, this is from 2009 Thoracic malformation with EOS- Effect of Serial VEPTR expansion thoracoplasty on lung growth and function in children

This paper is from 2011 showing pulmonary function, lung volume, and patient subjective assessments did not decrease dramatically after VEPTR placement but scoliosis angels did improve.   VEPTR – Does It Improve Pulmonary Function

Pulmonary and Radiographic Outcomes of VEPTR published August 2014 Pulmonary and Radiographic Outcomes of VEPTR treatment in EOS

VEPTR_for_Early_Onset_Neuromuscular_Scoliosis

MAGEC Rods Papers and Studies:

The study below is the first published study in the US that studies 8 patients who were treated in the US with MAGEC rods.  This is early research as that is all that exists right now. This study was published in early 2014 Early Experience of MAGEC magnetic growing rods in the treatment of SOS

 SHILLA Papers and Studies :

Press Release for the SHILLA, the first growth-guided instrumentation specifically designed for the growing child allowing natural growth and deformity correction of the spine. SHILLA PR May 2012