Early Detection of Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

New paper by Skalli W et.al. in Spine, 2006, looked at attempts to predict progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in small curves between 10 and 20 degrees. Calibrated bi-planar X-rays were performed and 3D reconstructions of the spine, which allowed them to calculate six local parameters related to main curve deformity. They found that 60% of the curves progressed and their predictions were correct in 82% of cases. Of note, the 60% progression rate is high compared with the widely cited figure published by Miller in 1999 (Orthop Clin North Am. 1999 Jul;30(3):343-52) stating only 10% of small curves progress.