Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spinal axis has a three-dimensional deviation. The main diagnostic criterion is spinal curvature exceeding 10° on a plain antero-posterior X-ray image [1]. Scoliosis can occur before skeletal maturity and persist over time (idiopathic scoliosis) or it can occur in adulthood (de novo scoliosis). “De novo scoliosis” is due to disc degeneration, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis of the facet joints.“Idiopathic scoliosis” represents temporal continuity of a spinal deformity, and is already present in prepuberty or adolescence. It normally becomes symptomatic with disc degeneration. Although the etiology of these conditions is different, they can coexist and overlap [2].The incidence of scoliosis in people over fifty years of age is 6 percent, and in patients over fifty years of age with osteoporosis or osteomalacia, the incidence is six times greater and there is a higher risk of health problems in adult life, decreased quality of life, cosmetic deformity and visible disability, pain and progressive functional limitations [3,20]. We reported a case of de novo scoliosis treated with short stabilization technique and TLIF in accord with Harms and Jeszensky [4,5].

Case Presentation

Our patient,a74 year old retired bank worker, came to the center of our Spine Surgery AOUS University Policlinic “Santa Maria alle Scotte” of Siena, reporting an anamnestic history of backache for 6 months, and was negative for idiopathic scoliosis. He reported an ingravescent limitation in the performance of daily activities. Pain measured by VAS scale was an 8, [6] while the Oswestry Low Back Pain Score [7] was 36 points and 46 in SF-36 scale [8].Upon objective examination the patient had an unnatural upright posture while squatting, and there was a scoliotic deflection along the thoracic, thoraco-lumbar, lumbar, and lower back section, with the presence of a rib prominence. The patient also had left radicular syndrome. He had an intermittent claudicatio with pain after 25 meters of walk. The vertebrae with a limiting curve were T12 andL5, while theapical vertebra was L2.X-ray measurement in AP projection (Figure 1) (antero-posterior) revealed that the patient had an angle of 22.8° Cobb (between upper surface of T12 and lower of L5) while the LL (latero-lateral) projection (Figure 2) was 15.7° Cobb, with the loss of the physiological lumbar lordosis. There was also an excessive pelvic nutation and sagittal line dropped from the center of the soma of C7, which did not pass through the center ofL3’s vertebral body and fell forward at the femoral heads. Delmas index was 97.3, which indicated a rigid column that could be more exposed to vertebral fractures. We sent the patient to have a CT scan of the spine and we found a segmental stenosis at L3-L4 (Figure 3) and L4-L5 lumbar level (Figure 4). The patient also had an RM of the lumbar section, where we found two massive lumbar disc hernias at level L3-L4 and L4-L5 (Figure 5). Although we could appreciate lack of homogeneity of both Ileopsoas muscles at coronal cut (Figure 6), we did give the diagnosis of De Novo Scoliosis. Given the clinical and radiological disease, we decided together with the patient to proceed directly to surgery without conservative treatment except for pain with pain killers. According to our Osteoporosis‘Center: the osteoporosis treatment was carried out by 1 tablet per week of 70 mg alendronic acid + 5,600 I.U. of cholecalciferol, it is still being treated with this dose according our Osteoporosis‘Center. Upon completion of routine pre-operative exams, we decided to perform a surgical correction and stabilization of scoliosis. We administered normal antibiotic and heparin prophylaxis for these interventions in accordance with the Italian guidelines. The duration of surgery was 456 minutes. We decided to correct only the thoracolumbarsection with a hybrid system (hooks on the laminas of T12 and pedicle screws and rods preformed in lordosis in the remaining segments up to L5), at the level of the intervertebral discs L3-L4, L4-L5 (Figures 7 and 8). We performed Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Back Surgery with Smith-Petersen’s ostheotomies (Figures 7 and 8), in which we affixed a cage for every segment that was a symmetrically disposed. For the correction of the scoliotic curve in the frontal direction, the cages were placed in front to increase lordotic curve (Figures 7 and 8). We chose to stabilize only the thoraco-lumbar section in order to ensure that the thoracic portion had a development of a kyphosis compensation. One year after surgery (Figures 9 and 10) we restored the physiological curves of the lumbar and thoracic sections. We used like brace the dynamic corset, Spinomed® (Medi GmbH & Co. KG, Bayreuth, Germany) for 3 months from the surgery. The rehabilitation program was. Breathing exercises for the first 4 weeks. The removal of stitches (21 days after surgery), the patient was subjected to eight weeks to electrical stimulation and isometric exercises reinforcing the muscles: the back, abdomen, buttocks. Till today the patient performs daily exercises learned during the rehabilitation period in a specialized center. At 1 year of follow up: the Sagital Balance indices were in the normal range; the patient had a VAS of 4 points referred back; Oswestry low back Pain Score was 68 points; no back pain in left side; SF-36 scale was 78 points and the patient came back to normal activities of daily living.

Figure 1: Shows in ap projectionthatpatient had an angle of 22.8 ° Cobb (between upper surface ofL5 and lower of T12).

Figure 2: Shows in ll projection that patient had an angle of 15.7 ° Cobb.

Figure 3: Shows in CT scan of the spinesegmental stenosis at L3-L4.

Figure 4: Shows in CT scan of the spine segmental stenosis at L4-L5.

Figure 5: Shows in MRItwo massive lumbar disc’s hernias at level L3-L4 and L4-L5.

Figure 6: Shows in MRI the lack of homogeneity of both Ileopsoas muscles.

Figure 7: Shows at radiological image in LL projection hooks on the laminas of T12 and pedicle screws and rods preformed in lordosis in the remaining segments up to L5.

Figure 8: Shows at radiological image in AP projection hooks on the laminas of T12 and pedicle screws and rods preformed in lordosis in the remaining segments up to L5, at the level of the intervertebral discs L3-L4, L4-L5 a cage for every segment, asymmetrically disposed.

Figure 9: Shows in radiological exam in approjectionone year after surgery we restored the physiological curves of the lumbar and thoracic sections.

Figure 10: Shows in radiological exam in ll projection one year after surgery we restored the physiological curves of the lumbar and thoracic sections.

The great functional limitation caused by this pathology due to its deformity, demonstrates that the use of surgical methods is the last treatment approach after failure of more conservative methods [9]. We were looking for a surgical technique that did not involve excessive blood loss or lengthy operating times, and could be compatible with a poor quality of bone due to the advanced age of the patient. Surgery of scoliosis de novo is comparable to surgery of vertebral fractures with posterior long segment fixation because both cases have the objective of surgical restoration of biomechanical stability and the reduction of neurological damage, which is usually imminent or already present [10]. Finally we use the TLIF technique [11]. The results of 24 patients with treatment in this surgical technique show that TLIF surgery for interbody support was reliable and safe, and that it can be performed with excellent clinical outcomes. We used anterior cage for hypercorrection of lordosis [12]. The experience of Villavicencio et al. [13] demonstrates that AP lumbar interbody fusion surgery is associated with a complication rate more than two times higher, significantly increased blood loss (550 ml vs 231 ml average value), and longer operative (455 minutes vs 255 minutes average value) and hospitalization times (7.2 days vs 4.1 days average value) than TLIF techniques for lumbar disc degeneration and instability. Our surgery choice was based on previous studies of three-dimensional spinal deformations, studies on the rigidity of the deformity, and ultimately on the presence of osteoporosis, which influences the stability of the installations. Indeed, the presence of rotatory subluxation in the deformity of the adult implies the need for a study of the three-dimensional column. The correlation of all dimensional parameters is possible with the use of a pelvic incidence parameter, which plays a key role in the regulation of positional pelvic and spinal parameters [14-16]. A low value of pelvic incidence (44° or less) decreases sacral slope and leads to flattened lordosis. A high value of pelvic incidence (62° or more) increases sacral slope and leads to a more pronounced lordosis. For the adult population the standard values of pelvic incidence were 53 ± 9° [17-20] (which reflects a normal distribution of anthropometric data). Our surgery increased lumbar lordosis and the angle between L3-L4, and the pelvic incidence was corrected after one year. Delmas index was 97.3 due to the osteoporotic, rigid column. After the surgery we reduced the rigidity (Delmas index <95) and prevented osteoporotic collapse. Normaly, the surgical treatment of adult scoliosis presents a treatment challenge [21]. Neural decompression with combined anterior/posterior instrumented fusion is often performed [21]. These procedures have been reported to carry a high risk of complication, particularly in the elderly patient population. Over the past decade, less invasive surgical approaches to neural decompression and fusion have been popularized and have recently been applied in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis [21]. In their prospectively studied, Isaacs et al. [22] reported 107 underwent the XLIF procedure with or without supplemental posterior fusion for the treatment of degenerative scoliosis. Their results were: In all, 107 patients (mean age, 68 years; range, 45-87) were treated with XLIF; 28% had at least 1 comorbidity. A mean of 4.4 levels (range, 1-9) were treated per patient. Supplemental pedicle screw fixation was used in 75.7% of patients, 5.6% had lateral fixation, and 18.7% had stand-alone XLIF. Mean operative time and blood loss were 178 minutes (58 minutes/ level) and 50 to 100 mL. Mean hospital stay was 2.9 days (unstaged), 8.1 day (staged, 16.5%), 3.8 days overall [22]. Five patients (4.7%) received a transfusion, 3 (2.8%) required intensive care unit admission, and 1 (0.9%) required rehabilitation services [22]. Major complications occurred in 13 patients (12.1%): 2 (1.9%) medical, 12 (11.2%) surgical [22]. Of procedures that involved only less invasive techniques (XLIF stand-alone or with percutaneous instrumentation), 9.0% had one or more major complications. In those with supplemental open posterior instrumentation, 20.7% had one or more major complication [22]. Early reoperations (3) (all for deep wound infections) were associated with open posterior instrumentation procedures [22].Their conclusion was the morbidity in adult scoliosis surgery is minimized with less invasive techniques. Di Martino et al. [5] analyzed 63 patients with degenerative scoliosis and operated on by an asymmetric positioning of the cages on the concave side of degenerative scoliosis patients to correct the coronal deformity. They evaluted the radiographic results of the correction by the measurement of the Cobb angles [5]. The clinical results were evaluteted by the Roland -Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and by the analysis of complications [5]. Their results were [5]: The RMDQ has improved from a mean preoperative value of 16 points, to an average of 4 points at the last follow-up; The Cobb angle passed from an average of 24° preoperatively to 8° postoperatively. Eight patients sustained intraoperative or early postoperative complication. The used of Spinomed® is based on the principle of bio-feedback activation of the dorsal-lumbar musculature, it responds to the biomechanical principle of the three-point support, while giving a lesser degree of immobilization. The main advantages over the conventional 3-point orthoses are the preservation of dorsal-lumbar muscles function, the absence of pressure on ventral supports and of respiratory restriction, and a larger back support, which can be modeled on individual patient’s spine shape [18]. Postoperative rehabilitation is rarely necessary. On the one hand direct postoperative mobility and activities of the patients’ should be limited for a year in order to ensure a safe healing and stabilization of the bone structure [19]. On the other hand, mobility of the spine as a whole and on the segmental level as well is largely reduced after operation. Problems within the fusion area cannot be addressed by physical means, manipulation of fused segments is obsolete and pain related to costotranversal joint problems can hardly be mobilized without stress to the fusion area. Nevertheless, there is little evidence that operated patients with chronic back pain can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation [19]. The junctional zones (fused area/unfused area) of the spine can be stabilized and obviously pain can be reduced [19]. For the rehabilitation of operated patients with spinal deformities only specialized centres are recommended to assure maximum patient safety. High quality rehabilitation with the help of exercises, re-education and high quality bracing may reduce the costs the community has to bear when surgical intervention can be avoided [19]. Finally it’s the surgical intervention causing the highest costs after low quality conservative management has failed [19].

The aim of this article is not to show or to give guidelines, but to demonstrate a valid and rational alternative to the treatment of this condition, which is increasing due to the aging of the population.