Two hereditary spinal diseases producing kyphosis during adolescence.

Familial accumulation of spinal osteochondrosis (Scheuermann's disease) and hereditary juvenile anterior fusion of the vertebral bodies in the thoraco-lumbal area are reported for the first time in the same family. Radiological examination of the spine in 2 planes of 73 persons formed the basis for the study. Nine cases of spinal osteochondrosis and 5 cases of hereditary juvenile anterior fusion were found. Proliferation and increased height of the anterior surface of the body of the vertebrae and pronounced reduction in the anterior aspect of the intervertebral spaces were characteristic during the early stages of the latter condition, similarly fewer back symptoms and a better prognosis were observed in these patients than was the case of patients with Scheuermann's disease.