Casting in infantile idiopathic scoliosis as a temporising measure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Treatment of infantile idiopathic scoliosis remains vague. Because implantation of temporary telescopic devices carries a high risk of complications, interest in the older technique of serial casting is growing as a temporising measure before invasive procedures. The goal of this review was to meta-analyse studies examining the effect and safety of casting in infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: Two reviewers independently searched for relevant studies in PubMed and Embase databases through November 2018. The studies included were limited to infantile idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent casting, had a mean Cobb angle of 20 or more and written in English. The methodological quality of the chosen studies was assessed. The primary outcome was the difference in Cobb angle means from before and after casting. The secondary outcome was adverse events of casting. Heterogeneity was explored and a funnel plot was drawn. Results: Of the 366 studies screened, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis (243 subjects) and all were non-randomised. The casting was consistently associated with a reduction in the mean Cobb angle. The pooled mean difference was 24.85° (95% confidence interval: 19.25 to 30.46, p < 0.001). A number of reversible adverse events were reported, most commonly skin irritation and transient pulmonary symptoms. Heterogeneity between studies was high. In the meta-regression analysis, the starting Cobb angle did not influence Cobb angle change, but there was an inverse correlation between the mean difference in Cobb angle and mean age. Conclusion: Casting seems to be effective and safe in decreasing Cobb angle even in high curve magnitudes. In older patients, casting showed less Cobb angle correction.

Minimum 5-Year Results of Elongation Derotation Flexion Casting for Early Onset Scoliosis: The Story Is Not Over Until Skeletal Maturity

“…As seen in prior studies, our data support the conclusion that the best results are observed when initial cast placement occurs before 1.5 years of age 3,8,9 . I would just put, Fedorak et al looked at casting outcomes in 134 patients that had initiated casting at various ages 9 .…”

“…As seen in prior studies, our data support the conclusion that the best results are observed when initial cast placement occurs before 1.5 years of age. 3,8,9 I would just put, Fedorak et al looked at casting outcomes in 134 patients that had initiated casting at various ages. 9 He found that, when looking at patients who began casting at <1.5 years, there was a statistical difference in final major coronal curve and percent major coronal curve correction.…”

Does Transitioning to a Brace Improve HRQoL After Casting for Early Onset Scoliosis?

“…The average follow-up was 3.2 (0.90-6.8) years. The average number of casts applied was 5 (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). At the most recent follow-up, 61 subjects were being treated with a brace, 3 with a cast, and 2 with growing rods.…”

“…There may also be harmful pulmonary effects during casting itself 10. Lastly, casting is a resource-intensive treatment that places a significant burden on our health care system 11. In response, studies have examined the utility of bracing as an alternative to casting in this population.…”