The Effect of Cervicodorsal Hemivertebra Resection on Head Tilt and Trunk Shift in Children With Congenital Scoliosis

BACKGROUND: Congenital scoliosis due to hemivertebra of the cervicodorsal spine is a rare disorder. It might be accompanied by impaired cosmetic appearances such as head tilt and trunk shift. Little is known about the effect of correction of the major curve on head tilt and trunk shift in children. The purpose of this study was to assess radiographic changes of head tilt and trunk shift following posterior hemivertebra resection (PHVR). METHODS: Retrospectively, all children who underwent PHVR at the cervicodorsal spine (C6-Th6) with pedicle screw fixation with a minimum radiographic follow-up of 1 year were identified for further assessment. A total of 5 radiographic parameters were assessed on preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up radiographs. (1) Head tilt was defined as the angle between the horizontal line and the line through both molars of the maxillary, (2) trunk shift as the angle between the line of the center of C7 to the sacrum and the central sacral vertical line, (3) Cobb angle was used to assess the major curve, (4) cranial, and (5) caudal compensatory curvature. RESULTS: Seven boys and 10 girls with a mean age of 9.0 years at surgery were evaluated. The mean radiographic follow-up was 89.5 months (range: 12 to 166 mo). The mean head tilt reoriented from 6.9 to 1.9 degrees (P<0.001); trunk shift improved from 4.3 to 2.5 degrees after surgery (P=0.100). There was a significant correlation between head tilt and trunk shift on preoperative and postoperative radiographs (P=0.030/0.031). The major curve, and compensatory curvatures were all significantly corrected (P<0.001). Head reorientation was significantly influenced by patient age at surgery. Repeated procedures due to decompensation of the compensatory curvature were performed in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: PHVR and pedicle screw fixation is an effective treatment for patients with congenital scoliosis. Surgery achieves a significant correction of the major curve and reorientation of the head postoperatively, and till the last follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.