open access

Vol 73, No 3 (2014)
Case report
Submitted: 2013-09-27
Accepted: 2013-11-15
Published online: 2014-09-05
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Anatomical dissection of a cadaver with congenital scoliosis

A. Stevenson, S. McCarthy, J. Kalmey, R. Kulesza
DOI: 10.5603/FM.2014.0058
·
Folia Morphol 2014;73(3):389-394.

open access

Vol 73, No 3 (2014)
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2013-09-27
Accepted: 2013-11-15
Published online: 2014-09-05

Abstract

Congenital scoliosis is a developmental anomaly involving poorly formed or fused vertebral segments resulting in an abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column and is often accompanied by significant rotational defects. Despite abundant literature on causes, diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis, little attention has been given to impacts of this condition on the musculoskeletal system beyond the bony defects. This report describes the detailed, layer-by-layer dissection of the superficial and deep back musculature and examination of the axial skeleton of a 47-year-old male with severe congenital scoliosis. The subject presented with both cervico-thoracic and thoraco-lumbar scoliotic curves. Dissection of the back muscles revealed notable asymmetry in the superficial muscles and marked atrophy of the deep back muscles on the left side. Examination of the axial skeleton revealed numerous bones which were abnormally porous, reduced thoracic volume, attenuated intercostal spaces on the left side and 2 separate fusion deficits, including an unsegmented bar spanning 6 vertebral segments.

Abstract

Congenital scoliosis is a developmental anomaly involving poorly formed or fused vertebral segments resulting in an abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column and is often accompanied by significant rotational defects. Despite abundant literature on causes, diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis, little attention has been given to impacts of this condition on the musculoskeletal system beyond the bony defects. This report describes the detailed, layer-by-layer dissection of the superficial and deep back musculature and examination of the axial skeleton of a 47-year-old male with severe congenital scoliosis. The subject presented with both cervico-thoracic and thoraco-lumbar scoliotic curves. Dissection of the back muscles revealed notable asymmetry in the superficial muscles and marked atrophy of the deep back muscles on the left side. Examination of the axial skeleton revealed numerous bones which were abnormally porous, reduced thoracic volume, attenuated intercostal spaces on the left side and 2 separate fusion deficits, including an unsegmented bar spanning 6 vertebral segments.

Get Citation

Keywords

dysmorphology, unsegmented bar, vertebra

About this article
Title

Anatomical dissection of a cadaver with congenital scoliosis

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 73, No 3 (2014)

Article type

Case report

Pages

389-394

Published online

2014-09-05

Page views

1440

Article views/downloads

2605

DOI

10.5603/FM.2014.0058

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2014;73(3):389-394.

Keywords

dysmorphology
unsegmented bar
vertebra

Authors

A. Stevenson
S. McCarthy
J. Kalmey
R. Kulesza

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