The natural course of congenital spinal deformity in children with isolated vertebral body malformation in the lumbar spine

Objective. To assess the natural history of the lumbar spine deformity progression in children with isolated vertebral body malformation. Material and Methods. The natural course of spinal deformity associated with disrupted lumbar vertebra formation was analyzed in 40 patients aged 1 year 7 months to 17 years 11 months who received conservative treatment and dynamic follow-up during four years. Spondylography was performed in frontal and lateral projections in lying position every 6 months. Spondylograms were used to measure the magnitude of the angle of the local scoliotic and kyphotic components of deformity in the process of child’s growth and the magnitude of the angle of general lumbar lordosis. Results. The study showed that two components of deformity (scoliosis and kyphosis) were characterized by a progressive and stable course. Against the background of local curvature in the sagittal plane, the results of the study of general lordosis were distributed according to the age norm and to a flattening relative to the norm at the time of the last observation. Conclusion. At the primary examination of a patient, the initial magnitude of scoliotic curvature according to Cobb plays a predictive role in determining the further course of spinal deformity. When the magnitude of the primary curve is less than 30°, conservative therapy provides a stable course of congenital curvature, and in some children, a tendency to self-correction. Children with initial magnitude of the primary scoliotic curve of more than 30° have steady progression of congenital deformity in the lumbar spine of more than 6° during 4 years, which is an indication for surgical treatment at an early age.