Pre-operative halo-gravity traction in severe neurofibromatosis type 1 and congenital scoliosis with thoracic rotatory subluxation.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pre-operative Halo-gravity traction in the treatment of severe neurofibromatosis type 1 and congenital scoliosis patients with thoracic rotatory subluxation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and congenital scoliosis undergoing Halo-gravity traction were reviewed. Radiographic parameters were measured at pre-, post-traction and post-operation. The forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were recorded at pre- and post-traction. The neurologic function were assessed according to the Frankel score. The complications during Halo-gravity traction, operation and post-operative follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients (21M and 14F) with rotatory subluxation including 18 neurofibromatosis type 1 and 17 congenital scoliosis patients were included, of whom the average age was 14.9 ± 4.8 years. The average duration of Halo-gravity traction was 72.3 ± 11.2 days, during which the average Cobb angle improved from 105.4 ± 34.2° to 81.7 ± 32.6° (P < 0.001), and the global kyphosis decreased from 79.2 ± 22.5° to 59.7 ± 23.0° (P = 0.003). At pre-traction, the values of coronal and sagittal rotatory subluxation were 9.3 ± 5.2 mm and 7.5 ± 3.5 mm, which significantly improved to 6.7 ± 3.6 mm (P < 0.001) and 4.9 ± 2.3 mm (P < 0.001), respectively. The average improvement in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were from 43.6% to 54.2% predicted and from 40.4% to 48.8% predicted, respectively. After Halo-gravity traction, the Frankel scores improved from C to D in 3 patients, from D to E in 2 patients.

CONCLUSION

Halo-gravity traction can improve the coronal and sagittal curvature, and the rotatory subluxation in neurofibromatosis type 1 and congenital scoliosis patients. The pre-operative Halo-gravity traction is a safe option for severe neurofibromatosis type 1 and congenital scoliosis patients with rotatory subluxation.