Congenital Scoliosis: Patient Presentation
This 15-year-old girl from Iraq visited our hospital for evaluation and treatment of congenital scoliosis. Her CT scan showed a spinal deformity, while she also reported a left-sided back hump and back pain. Her parents brought her in for consultation as the deformity had become progressively more prominent since she was nine years old. Her family brought her to our hospital because Iraq did not have specialized facilities for scoliosis treatment.
Diagnosis of Complex Spinal Deformity
After examination, the doctor diagnosed congenital scoliosis caused by hemivertebrae in the lumbar and cervical spine. In total, there were three curves in the patient’s spine: one was laterally bent in his lumbar, another – in his thoracic, and the third – in his cervical section. Moreover, she also had a significant kyphotic deformity, short trunk, and a body tilt to the left.
Surgical Correction of Congenital Scoliosis
The spinal surgery team corrected the congenital scoliosis using pedicle screw fixation and multilevel osteotomies. The surgical team used intraoperative neuromonitoring to improve safety by continuously monitoring the spinal cord and nerve roots throughout the operation. The surgical team completed the procedure successfully in approximately six hours without any major complications.
The patient stayed in the intensive care unit overnight, and the team transferred her to the ward the following day.
Results After Congenital Scoliosis Surgery
The postoperative X-ray shows significant correction of the spinal curvature and an improved overall body alignment. The patient has a mild leftward trunk shift, which the clinical team expects to improve over the next few months.
Surgical Outcome and Patient Recovery
To conclude, the case is complicated and involved all aspects of spinal surgery. The complexity of the deformity presented several challenges during surgery. However, timely surgery, advanced equipment, and careful surgical planning supported a safe procedure and smooth recovery.
Importance of Early Scoliosis Evaluation
This case highlights the importance of early evaluation and specialised treatment for congenital scoliosis and complex spinal deformities. Congenital scoliosis surgery may require detailed planning, modern spinal instrumentation, and intraoperative neuromonitoring to achieve safe and effective deformity correction. Early assessment can also help spine specialists determine the most appropriate treatment approach for patients with progressive spinal curvature.