Progression of Sagittal plane deformity and axial vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using magnetic resonance imaging

This thesis investigated the progression of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), a multifactorial, three-dimensional spinal deformity affecting 0.47-5.2% of the population. Using a sequential MRI series, spinal curves of adolescent patients with AIS were assessed in a level-wise manner for vertebral body wedge angle, vertebral body height, axial vertebral rotation and kyphosis. These measured values were then compared to the same parameters observed in a sequential MRI series of an adolescent non-scoliotic population. The main objective of this study was to improve our understanding of spinal deformity progression in AIS patients, which will hopefully aid in therapeutic planning and treatment outcomes.