Fig. 3
A 14-year-old boy with left thoracic dystrophic scoliosis secondary to NF-1 received surgical treatment in our institution. A The preoperative Cobb angle of thoracic curve was 60° with 8th rib head dislocation (white arrow) and the VT of T8 was 12.2 mm B and C. Preoperative CT and MRI scans revealed the 8th rib head penetrating the foramen and compressing the dural sac but not the spinal cord. The IRL and the VRA were 12.2 mm and 75.3°, respectively. D Posterior-only spinal fusion without rib head excision was performed, and pedicle screw or hook was not placed at the level of dislocated rib head. The Cobb angle was corrected to 31° postoperatively. E A minor degree of rib head withdrawal was confirmed by postoperative CT scans. The IRL, RVA and VT were corrected to 9.9 mm, 69.6° and 12.4 mm postoperatively