Scoliosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Scoliosis, including details on treatment, exercises, surgery, symtpoms.

Cutis tricolor coexistent with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: "phacomatosis achromico-melano-marmorata".

C Boente MD, Obeid R, Asial RA, Bibas-Bonet H, Coronel AM, Happle R

Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Niño Jesús, Pasaje Bertrés 224, SM de Tucumán, 4000, Argentina. mboente@arnet.com.ar.

An 8-year-old mentally retarded boy had paired segmental areas of hyper- and hypopigmentation on the left side of his body in association with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) involving the trunk and the limbs, with the exception of parts of his right arm. At the age of 4 years, an aneurysmatic nodular lesion developed in the angle of his right elbow, and subsequently two similar lesions emerged on his forehead and scalp. Moreover, a dysmorphic facial appearance, scoliosis, genu valgum, talipes planus and increased laxity of joints were noted. The coexistence of paired achromic and melanotic macules in the form of "cutis tricolor" with CMTC can be categorized as an unusual example of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV). This combination differs from all other types of PPV so far known, which is why we propose the new term "phacomatosis achromico-melano-marmorata". Future clinical research may show whether analogous "simple" twin-spot phenotypes in the form of "phacomatosis melanomarmorata" or "phacomatosis achromicomarmorata" do likewise exist.

Published 10 July 2008 in Eur J Dermatol, 18(4): 394-6.
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Articles on Scoliosis published 10 July 2008:

Staged surgical treatment for severe rigid scoliosis.   J Orthop Surg, 3(1): 26.

ABSTRACT: STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of staged surgery for severe rigid scoliosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the result of staged surgery in treatment of severe rigid scoliosis and to discuss the indications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: DATA: Excellent outcomes of hemivertebra excision, vertebral body resection, and spinal osteotomy have been reported for angular kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis. However, their safety and effectiveness of these procedures have not been estimated. It would be ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Scoliosis published 8 July 2008:

Study of the pressures applied by a Cheneau brace for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.   Prosthet Orthot Int.

We performed a study on 32 idiopathic scoliotic patients (30 females, 2 males) treated with a Cheneau brace. Eighteen patients had a single right thoracic curve and 14 had a single right thoracolumbar curve. We used the TekScan(R) system (ClinSeat Type 5315 Sensor, TekScan, Boston MA, USA) to measure pressures at the skin-brace interface, assess the effect of strap tension and analyze the variation of these pressures with position and activity. The TekScan(R) device enabled identification of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Scoliosis in Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome.   Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE. Our goals were to determine the prevalence and estimate the evolution of spinal deformities in patients suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome; find out which kind of spine deformity predominates regarding genotype and clinical patterns; and evaluate the affect of growth-hormone treatment on the onset and progression of spinal deformities. PATIENTS AND METHODS. This was a retrospective longitudinal, clinical, and radiologic study. One hundred forty-five children followed between 1980 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Scoliosis published 7 July 2008:

Does scoliosis causes low bone mass? A comparative study between siblings.   Eur Spine J, 17(7): 944-7.

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence low bone mass among girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and their siblings. The subjects of this study were Saudi Arabian girls with AIS. Patients had their weight and height measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Clinical examination and investigations were done to rule out any other cause of scoliosis. All had bone mineral density (BMD) measurement of hip area and the spine using DEXA scan, Hologic Inc. Patients with a ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Cerebral glucose metabolic abnormality in patients with congenital scoliosis.   Eur Spine J, 17(7): 948-55.

A possible association between congenital scoliosis and low mental status has been recognized, but there are no reports describing the mental status or cerebral metabolism in patients with congenital scoliosis in detail. We investigated the mental status using a mini-mental status exam as well as the cerebral glucose metabolism using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose brain positron emission tomography in 12 patients with congenital scoliosis and compared them with those of 14 age-matched patients with ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with quantified trunk rotational strength training: a pilot study.   J Spinal Disord Tech, 21(5): 349-58.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that quantified trunk rotational strength training will equalize any strength asymmetry, increase strength overall, and stabilize adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Bracing, the only generally accepted form of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis nonoperative therapy, has many shortcomings. Paraspinal muscle abnormalities, which have been extensively documented in these patients, are generally ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Transvertebral Transsacral Strut Grafting for High-grade Isthmic Spondylolisthesis L5-S1 With Fibular Allograft.   J Spinal Disord Tech, 21(5): 328-33.

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical retrospective study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 25 consecutive patients with symptomatic high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 treated by decompression and transvertebral, transsacral strut grafting with fibular allograft. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Symptomatic high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis serves as a challenging clinical problem. Traditional treatment by in situ posterolateral arthrodesis has been ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion for patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.   J Spinal Disord Tech, 21(5): 310-5.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis remains challenging for spine surgeons even with the application of pedicle screw instrumentation. This retrospective study assesses the outcomes of instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar scoliosis. METHODS: From April 2000 to April 2004, 26 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were treated with instrumented PLIF. Mean age of the 15 females and 11 males was 64.2 years (range, 51 to 77 y). Clinical ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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