Three-dimensional computed tomography for assessing lung morphology in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis following posterior spinal fusion surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the changes in lung morphology in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) following posterior spinal fusion surgery.

METHODS

From April 2009 to August 2013, 30 AIS patients (nine males and 21 females) were enrolled in this study. All scans were obtained with the patient in the supine position and the breath held in deep inspiration and performed both before and after surgery. Syngo software was used to manage the computed tomography scan imaging and to calculate the lung volume, lung height and pulmonary cross-sectional area in the apical vertebral plane.

RESULTS

Left lung, right lung and total lung volumes and convex to concave lung volume ratio did not change significantly after corrective surgery. There was a statistically significant improvement in left lung and right lung heights after posterior spinal fusion surgery. However, the pulmonary cross-sectional area in the apical vertebrae plane was smaller postoperatively than preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that lung height in AIS patients increased significantly immediately postoperatively whereas lung volume did not change significantly. Thoracic symmetry was improved postoperatively in these patients.