MRI findings in spinal MRI of 306 children with scoliosis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the MRI findings and assess the prevalence of different associated structural abnormalities in children with scoliosis and to determine if the age of onset is a possible indicator of intraspinal pathology. This is a retrospective analysis of 663 consecutive MR examinations (319 patients). Thirteen patients with known intraspinal tumors were excluded and a total of 306 patients aged 2-18 years with scoliosis were subjected for analysis. The scoliosis was regarded as idiopathic in 62% of patients. Among the remaining 38% the most commonly seen abnormality was syrinx and Chiari malformations. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of syrinx only or syrinx associated with Chiari I malformation in patients younger than ten years and those older than ten years. MRI examination is an essential part of the work up of scoliosis in the pediatric population especially before any corrective surgery. This study and a review of the current literature suggest there is no clinical marker that would definitely serve as an indicator of the presence of intraspinal pathology in these patients.