Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis treated with anterior vertebral body tethering and disc releases: a case report.

Abstract

A 10-year-old male with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis underwent an anterior vertebral body tether (VBT) and two disc releases to correct his 72° thoracolumbar curvature. To the best of our knowledge, this procedure has not been previously documented. The patient trialed bracing prior to presenting to our institution, but his curve continued to progress. In an effort to maintain truncal flexibility and preserve growth, the patient and his family elected for a VBT. A preoperative MRI was unremarkable, and the patient had no underlying medical conditions. The operation was complicated by undersized and severely rotated vertebrae. The curvature failed to adequately correct with increasing cord tension. Two disc releases were performed at the apex of the curve: T8-T9 and T9-T10. The VBT cord spanned T5-L3. At the patient's 3-year post-operative appointment, his major cobb angle measured 22° and showed no evidence of fusion.