Radiographic Factors for Progression of Thoracolumbar Kyphosis in Achondroplasia Patients after Walking Age: A Generalized Estimating Equation Analysis.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyse the trends in changes of radiologic parameters according to age to predict factors affecting the progression of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK).

METHODS

Records of patients with achondroplasia were retrospectively reviewed from July 2001 to December 2020. We measured imaging parameters (T10-L2 angle, sagittal Cobb angle, width, height, and number of wedge vertebrae, and apical vertebral translation [AVT]) of 81 patients with radiographically confirmed TLK. Based on the angle on X-ray taken in 36 months, 49 patients were divided into the progression group (P group, TLK angle ≥ 20°) and resolution group (R group, TLK angle < 20°). The mean values between the groups were compared using Student -test, and the pattern of changes in each radiologic parameter according to age was analysed using a generalized estimating equation.

RESULTS

Some imaging parameters showed significant differences according to age between P group and R group: T10-L2 angle ( < 0.001), sagittal Cobb angle ( < 0.001), AVT ( = 0.025), percentage of wedge vertebral height (WVH) ( = 0.018), and the number of severely deformed wedge vertebral bodies (anterior height less than 30% of posterior) ( = 0.037). Regarding the percentage of wedge vertebral widths (superior and inferior endplates), the difference between the two groups did not significantly increase with age, but regardless of age, it was higher in P group than in R group.

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in the TLK angle between P group and R group of the achondroplasia patients gradually increased with age. Among the imaging parameters, AVT and WVH could be factors that ultimately affect the exacerbation of kyphosis as the difference between the groups increased significantly over time.