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Relationships between radiographic parameters and spinopelvic muscles in adult spinal deformity patients

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Abstract

Introduction

While the clinical impact of coronal and sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients (pts) is established, there is a paucity of data in terms of axial plane deformity and potential association between muscle degeneration and 3D deformity. The purpose of this study was to analyze spinopelvic muscles characteristics in association with the 3D deformity of ASD patients.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study; primary lumbar scoliosis patients (Cobb > 20°) were enrolled and sustained a low-dose X-rays with 3D spinal reconstructions and a fat/water separation MRI (from C7 to the knee). Volumetric 3D reconstructions and fat infiltration (FI) of 6 muscles groups were performed. Relationships between muscular data, radiographic parameters and health-related quality of life were investigated. Patients were stratified and compared based on the SRS classification, the odontoid-hip axis (ODHA) angle (> or < 6.1°) and occurrence of rotatory subluxation.

Results and discussion

Twenty-eight patients were enrolled with a mean age of 60 ± 16yo and mean body mass index of 26 ± 4 kg/m2 without differences between groups. There were a moderate sagittal malalignment and a Cobb angle of 45 ± 11° (table). Muscular volume was smaller in patients with more severe deformity (p > 0.05). Pts with ODHA > 6.1° or pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis  > 10° had significantly higher FI for the 6 muscular groups, patients with pelvic tilt  > 20° had significantly higher FI for erector spinae, hip flexors and extensors (p < 0.05). SF36-PCS significantly correlated with the muscular volume; SRS and Oswestry disability index correlated with the erectors spinae volume (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study analyzed for the first time the relationship between 3D radiographic parameters and muscular characteristics in ASD. Sagittal malalignment is associated with increased FI and decreased muscle volumes with poor outcomes.

Graphic abstract

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hopital Européen Georges Pompidou, APHP, Paris V University, 20 Rue Leblanc, 75015, Paris, France

    Emmanuelle Ferrero, Marc Khalifé & Pierre Guigui

  2. Laboratoire de biomécanique Georges Charpak, Ecole Nationale supérieure Des Arts Et métiers, 75013, Paris, France

    Emmanuelle Ferrero, Wafa Skalli & Cédric Maillot

  3. SpineLab, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Virginie Lafage

  4. Department of Radiology, Hopital de Garches, APHP, Garches, France

    Robert Carlier & Adrien Felter

  5. Department of Radiology, Hopital Cochin, APHP, Paris V University, Paris, France

    Antoie Feydy

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  1. Emmanuelle Ferrero
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  2. Wafa Skalli
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  3. Virginie Lafage
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Correspondence to Emmanuelle Ferrero.

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Ferrero, E., Skalli, W., Lafage, V. et al. Relationships between radiographic parameters and spinopelvic muscles in adult spinal deformity patients. Eur Spine J 29, 1328–1339 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-019-06243-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-019-06243-3

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