Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Screening of Schoolgirls

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a common disorder of unknown etiology. The lack of symptoms delays its detection, sometimes beyond the remedial range. In this study, consent forms were distributed to elementary schoolgirls between 11-13 years, at random, in the city of Riyadh. Out of 1,147 girls screened, 40 girls were positive on screening. In the clinic, nine girls were found to have no scoliosis, one had old poliomyelitis and one had lumbar lipoma. The remaining 29 girls had idiopathic scoliosis, giving a prevalence of 2.5%. However, the Cobb's angle was more than five degrees in nine girls only, reducing the prevalence of significant curves to 0.78%. The study was acceptable to all parties involved. We feel studies that address the issues of female screeners, transportation problems, and cost-effectiveness are needed prior to embarking on larger scale programs.A Abo-Bakr, A Al-Mazyiad, M Al-Hussein, R Al-Sudairy, M Krimli, PJ Patel, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Screening of Schoolgirls. 1992; 12(6): 555-557 Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common disorder of unknown etiology. It is a worldwide problem with similar prevalence in different parts of the world. This disorder lends itself to an easy and a reasonably accurate screening method. Physical examination has proved to be a successful screening tool with minimal cost [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Its progression can be halted by appropriate intervention. For these reasons, school screening programs for AIS have already been established in different parts of the world and are now a common practice in North America [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of this disorder in schoolgirls who constitute the population of highest risk. Material and MethodsApproval to carry out the study was obtained from the concerned school authorities. Consent forms were randomly distributed to 1,180 elementary schoolgirls aged between 11-13 years in the city of Riyadh. The screening, carried out by two female pediatricians and one female general practitioner, was conducted according to an already established methodolgy [2,3,8,11]. In short, one looks for shoulder or scapular asymmetry while in the standing position, and for spinal hump when bending forward. The girls found to have scoliosis by the aforementioned screening test were subsequently subjected (in the clinic) to detailed history and physical examination by two pediatricians and a pediatric surgeon using standardized checklists with minor changes [9].Complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urinalysis and spine x-rays were done on

Ultrasound-guided continuous spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a parturient with scoliosis corrected with harrington's rod surgery

“…When a Cobb angle of 10° is used, in Saudi Arabia, scoliosis affects up to 1.6% of the adult population;[5] but prevalence drops to 0.37% for Cobb's angle 20° or more[6] with a female preponderance of three to one. [7] It is well established that surgical correction of scoliosis significantly improves patient's anatomical appearance and quality of life but is usually complicated by incomplete correction or continued disease progression. [8] In Saudi Arabia, there is concerted effort to reduce surgical waiting time for scoliosis patients[9] meaning that more and more women with surgically corrected scoliosis are likely to present in maternity units requiring labor analgesia or anesthesia for vaginal delivery or CS.…”

Status of the Metrology Light Source

“…The MLS magnetic ring with a circumference of 48 m consists of eight bending magnets, 24 quadrupole magnets, 24 sextupole magnets and four octupole magnets, and has two long and two short straight sections [9]. The MLS magnets have been produced by the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia.…”

“…The castiron girders with machined surfaces on the top and the multipole magnets have been produced with such narrow margins that there is no need for adjustable elements in between to avoid problems due to vibrations and long-term misalignment. The dipoles are installed on a movable support construction for an easy handling of the vacuum chamber [9].…”

Commissioning of the Metrology Light Source

“…The MLS magnetic ring with a circumference of 48 m consists of eight bending magnets, 24 quadrupole magnets, 24 sextupole magnets and four octupole magnets, and has two long and two short straight sections [7]. The MLS magnets have been produced by the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia.…”

“…The castiron girders with machined surfaces on the top and the multipole magnets have been produced with such narrow margins that there is no need for adjustable elements in between to avoid problems due to vibrations and longterm misalignment. The dipoles are installed on a movable support construction for an easy handling of the vacuum chamber [7]. …”