OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features and evaluate the surgical results of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with thoracolumbar kyphosis.

METHODSFour hundred and thirteen AIS patients were retrospectively reviewed between January 2001 and January 2007. Among them, 10 patients had thoracolumbar kyphosis, including 2 males and 8 females. The average age at surgery was 14.3 years old. There were 3 PUMC type IIb2, 4 PUMC IIc3, 1 PUMCIId2, 2 PUMC IIIb. Eight patients underwent posterior correction and spinal fusion with instrumentation, 2 patients underwent anterior release, posterior correction and spinal fusion with instrumentation. By reviewing the roentgenograms of patients, the curve type, Cobb angle, flexibility, apical rotation and translation, coronal and sagittal trunk shift and thoracolumbar kyphosis were measured and analyzed.

RESULTSEight patients had double curves and 2 patients had triple curves. Among them, the Cobb angles of thoracolumbar or lumbar curve were larger than 45 degrees in 7 patients, the flexibility index was less than 70% in 6 patients, the apical vertebral rotation was larger than II degrees in 9 patients and the apical vertebral translation was larger than 2 cm in all patients. All the surgical treatment strategy and fusion level followed the criteria of PUMC classification. The coronal Cobb angles of thoracic curve before and after surgery were 71.7 degrees and 37.4 degrees respectively, and the average correction rate was 47.8%. The coronal Cobb angles of thoracolumbar or lumbar curve before and after surgery were 65.0 degrees and 27.8 degrees respectively, and the average correction rate was 57.2%. The Cobb angles of thoracolumbar kyphosis before and after surgery were 35.5 degrees and 4.2 degrees respectively, and the average correction rate was 88.2%. No trunk decompensation was noted at final follow-up. All patients were followed-up from 12 to 72 months; the average follow up was 23.1 months.

CONCLUSIONSAIS patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis usually have double or triple curves. In these patients, thoracolumbar curves or lumbar curves are severe and have obvious rotatory deformity. Thoracolumbar curve or lumbar curve should be fused in idiopathic scoliosis patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis to avoid trunk decompensation or junctional kyphosis. By using criteria of PUMC classification, these patients can be well identified and corresponding fusion level can be followed as well.