An anatomical description of a specimen of extreme scoliosis with associated variations

Anatomical dissection of a cadaver with congenital scoliosis

“…According to previous work, malformations of the ribs, chest cavity, and scapulae are often a common finding with severe scoliosis [1, 2,8,10]. Additionally, it has been suggested that when spinal deformities are severe, thoracic insufficiency syndrome is often present as the thorax is unable to support normal respiratory movements [6].…”

“…CS involving UB can result in severe curves which extend well beyond the bony defects and such defects can further impact volume of the thoracic cage and respiratory movements [6,15]. Although there is extensive literature on causes, severity and management of scoliosis, there are no reports on the alterations of the soft tissue surrounding the vertebral defects or detailed descriptions of dissected specimens (but see Gillaspy and Van Renterghem [8], who provide a post-mortem study of the vertebral column from a patient with CS). Herein is described a detailed, layer by layer dissection of back muscles and examination of the axial skeleton from a 47-year-old male with severe CS.…”