Scoliotic progression patterns in prognostic factors and future prediction of spinal deformity progression.

This study investigated how an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis progresses with time. 154 consecutive measurements from 26 consecutive AIS patients were analyzed. Each subject had at least four successive scans at six-month intervals. Progression patterns of Cobb angle and apex lateral deviation were extracted from 34 serial data sets of the most common AIS type RT-LL, in the format of four serial data sets, by using the fuzzy c-means clustering technique. Progression of spinal deformity was predicted with previous serial data of Cobb angle and apex lateral deviation by using a GCV extrapolating technique alone and in conjunction with progression patterns. Our results showed that scoliotic progression appears to follow progression patterns. Progression of spinal deformity has potential to be accurately predicted with previous serial spinal deformities by using GCV extrapolating technique with assistance of progression patterns.