A case of malignant scoliosis and its relationship with pulmonary lung function and long-term health-related quality of life

Abstract

The relationship of spinal deformity and pulmonary impairment is so variable that it is still to be established. This study is to report the clinical pulmonary improvements of a patient with severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with corrective scoliosis surgery using posterior spinal instrumented fusion. The patient was an 11-year-old premenarche adolescent female. Preoperative Cobb angles were 102° from T4 toT12 and 58° from T12 to L4. The patient was already complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains with exertion. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed before surgery and 8 months postsurgery. Postoperative Cobb angle improved with the thoracic curve at 36° and lumbar curve at 10°. There was a marked improvement with her previous symptoms. Significant improvements were observed in her lung volume parameters on PFT. Her health-related quality of life continued to improve. This study reconfirms the influence of spinal deformities on pulmonary impairment in patients with severe scoliosis.

Keywords

• adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• malignant
• pulmonary function
• severe cases