Case Study for Scoliosis
Scoliosis is diagnosed as one of three forms: idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown; congenital, which means the bones are asymmetrical at birth; or neuromuscular, which means the scoliosis is symptomatic of a systemic condition like muscular dystrophy, Friedreich 's ataxia, or cerebral palsy. In this case study, the patient suffers from neuromuscular scoliosis because he has cerebral palsy. Some of the signs that a person suffers from scoliosis include:
• A spine that curves inward or downward too much
• A leg that appears shorter than the other
• A shoulder that appears lower than the other
• Ribs and pelvis rotate to the side
• An asymmetrical chest shape
Some of the problems associated with scoliosis include:
• Numbness in the lower extremities
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Breathing problems
Scoliosis is a chronic disease that gets worse over a period of time. Without diagnostic imaging, a curved spine that develops during early childhood can go unnoticed and untreated. This can affect the development of other muscles, ligaments, joints, and bones.
The anatomy that you want to see in a proper scoliosis series includes the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae, as well as the coccyx and pelvis. There are seven cervical vertebrae (abbreviated C1-C7), twelve thoracic vertebrae (abbreviated T1-T12), five lumbar vertebrae (abbreviated L1-L5), five sacral vertebrae (abbreviated S1-S5) which are fused together, and four coccygeal vertebrae (commonly known as your tail) which are also fused together. Altogether, there are thirty-three vertebrae that make up the spinal column, with each vertebrae getting progressively greater in size as you go down the column. Scoliosis may occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions. However, the most common site is in the thoracic region. The anatomy of the pelvis that should be shown includes the ilium, ischium, pubic symphysis, and obturator foramen. Scoliosis may cause a rotation in the
• A spine that curves inward or downward too much
• A leg that appears shorter than the other
• A shoulder that appears lower than the other
• Ribs and pelvis rotate to the side
• An asymmetrical chest shape
Some of the problems associated with scoliosis include:
• Numbness in the lower extremities
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Breathing problems
Scoliosis is a chronic disease that gets worse over a period of time. Without diagnostic imaging, a curved spine that develops during early childhood can go unnoticed and untreated. This can affect the development of other muscles, ligaments, joints, and bones.
The anatomy that you want to see in a proper scoliosis series includes the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae, as well as the coccyx and pelvis. There are seven cervical vertebrae (abbreviated C1-C7), twelve thoracic vertebrae (abbreviated T1-T12), five lumbar vertebrae (abbreviated L1-L5), five sacral vertebrae (abbreviated S1-S5) which are fused together, and four coccygeal vertebrae (commonly known as your tail) which are also fused together. Altogether, there are thirty-three vertebrae that make up the spinal column, with each vertebrae getting progressively greater in size as you go down the column. Scoliosis may occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions. However, the most common site is in the thoracic region. The anatomy of the pelvis that should be shown includes the ilium, ischium, pubic symphysis, and obturator foramen. Scoliosis may cause a rotation in the
Bibliography: Eisenberg, Ronald L. (2007). Comprehensive Radiographic Pathology. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier Frank, Eugene (2007). Radiographic Positioning & Procedures, Edition 11 Volume One. Mosby Elsevier Kouwenhoven, J & Castelein, R (2008). The Pathogenesis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Volume 33. The Martindale Press