OrthoNet

Congenital Kyphosis
Approach to Congenital Kyphosis

As in all congenital spine abnormalities, there is a high incidence of associated anomalies within and outside the spine
- spinal dysraphism (in 40%!!), diastematomyelia, tethered cord, syrinx, Arnold-Chiari malformation, diplomyelia, intraspinal tumour
- look for hairy patches, cutaneous nevi, dimples or clefts, and neurologic signs
- look for genitourinary abnormalities and cardiac abnormalities

- congenital kyphosis is more common than lordosis, but much less common than congenital scoliosis

- the treatment of congenital kyphosis is SURGERY - there is NO ROLE for conservative management (braces)

Failure of Segmentation
- produces a rounded gibbus and is fairly benign; most of the problems occur from the compensatory lumbar lordosis. - paraplegia is rarely a problem.
- posterior fusion will halt progression and leave the present deformity
- anterior and posterior fusion is necessary to correct the deformity

Failure of Formation
- produces a sharp kyphosis and is the leading cause of paraplegia due to spinal deformity.
- usually requires anterior/posterior approach.