[MIM 181 440]

(juvenile kyphosis, spinal epiphysitis of growth, juvenile spinal osteochondrosis)

Prevalence: 0.4 to 8% of population.  Lack of growth of the vertebral bodies, usually at the thoracic level (D4 - D8): the ventral part of the vertebral body is growing less than the posterior one, resulting in a cuneiform deformation. This problem takes place during puberty. There are familial cases with autosomal dominant transmission. These distortions cause an exaggeration of the physiological kyphosis (hyperkyphosis) counterbalanced by increased cervical and lumbar lordosis.

Symptoms: back pain, deformity of the spine, stiffness. Rarely: cardiopulmonary problems or signs of spinal cord compression.

XRays: severe kyphosis, Schmorl's

  nodules (hernia of the intervertebral disc into the vertebral spongy bone) at the level of the affected vertebrae.

Treatment: physical therapy, sometimes brace or scoliosis surgery .

Anesthetic implications:

careful positioning for surgery ; difficulties to perform a thoracic epidural block

References : 

Updated: May 2017