OBJECTIVETo investigate the morphology of the growth plates in anterior and posterior spinal column in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and congenital scoliosis (CS) respectively.

METHODSSeventeen AIS patients (mean age 13.6 years, ranged 10 to 17 years) were recruited in this study and 10 patients with CS (mean age 9.3 years, ranged 6 to 12 years) were selected as control group. Growth plates were harvested during anterior and posterior surgery and then were paraffin embedded, sectioned at the thickness of 6 microm, and stained with Heametoxylin and Eosin. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis was made to measure the area and height of proliferative and hypertrophic zones by image analysis system.

RESULTSIn AIS, the hypertrophic and proliferative zones were significantly larger and/or higher in anterior column than those in posterior column (P < 0.05). The sizes of different subtype zones were similar in anterior and posterior columns in CS.

CONCLUSIONThe histological difference between anterior and posterior spinal column may exist in patients with AIS. The overgrowth of the anterior spinal column may predispose to lordotic instability and development of spine deformity.