The prevalence of scoliosis within Belgian myelomeningocele population and the correlation with ambulatory status and neurological comorbidities: a chart audit

Study design Retrospective chart audit. Objectives Firstly determining the prevalence of scoliosis in myelomeningocele (MMC) patients of the University Hospitals Leuven. Secondly analyzing whether there are differences concerning distribution of radiological level, ambulatory status, hydrocephalus, tethered cord, and syringomyelia in MMC patients with/without scoliosis. Setting University Hospitals Leuven, spina bifida convention. Methods The following data were collected: age, gender, radiograph type, age at the time of the radiograph, position during radiograph, presence of fusion, age at the time of fusion, diagnosis of hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia, radiological level of MMC, ambulatory status, main Cobb angle, main curve convexity, and main curve location. Correlation between prevalence of scoliosis and ambulatory status, neurological comorbidities, and radiological level were investigated. Results There were 116 patients remaining, after excluding patients without MMC or useful images. The scoliosis prevalence in MMC patients was 78.4% (95% CI, 71.0-85.8) for Cobb angle >= 10 degrees; 60.3% (95% CI, 51.4-69.2) for >= 20 degrees, 52.6% (95% CI, 43.5-61.7) for >= 30 degrees, and 36.6% (95% CI, 27.7-45.5) for an angle >= 40 degrees. Wheelchair users had 4 to 8 times more chance of having scoliosis than patients able to walk on all surfaces without aid. Thoracolumbar and lumbar radiological levels had a slightly higher prevalence of scoliosis than sacral levels. Conclusions The high prevalence of scoliosis warrants a thorough screening and follow-up for MMC. There was no statistically significant difference between hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia regarding scoliosis. Future studies should focus on the interactions of the neurological comorbidities associated with MMC and scoliosis.