Is VCR necessary to correct very severe deformity? case report and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Management of severe scoliotic deformities is challenging. Deformity correction may need three column osteotomies that may be associated with significant morbidity. Staged procedure and use of Halo gravity traction is a useful strategy in such cases.

Case Description: A thirty-year-old woman presented with complaint of progressive deformity over the back for the past few years. She was very frail as per the adult spine deformity frailty index (ASD-FI), and her BMI was less than 18. Her Cobb angle measured 180 degrees of main thoracic curve. Her pulmonary function was compromised and had dyspnea on exertion. Management options in these deformities are limited and fraught with risk of major complications. To correct these deformities, a 2-3 level vertebral column resection (VCR) is required using an all-posterior approach. This patient was treated by anterior release followed by halo-gravity traction (HGT) for two weeks, which was then followed by posterior release and correction. The Cobb angle was reduced from 180° to 55° at final follow up of 2 years.

Conclusion: Anterior release and traction can help in obviating the vertebral column resection in these severe rigid U-shaped deformities.

Keywords:

• Severe scoliosis
• halo gravity
• vertebral column resection

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Reghan Borer and the Neuroscience Research Institute at the Ohio State University for editing support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).