Pulmonary Function in Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Literature Review.

» Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) causes restrictive lung disease, secondary to deformation of the thoracic cavity, stiffening of the chest wall, and weakening of the respiratory muscles.» Early spinal fusion has been shown to limit thoracic growth and be associated with poor pulmonary outcomes. This has led to the rise of growth-friendly surgical techniques to maximize thoracic growth.» Radiographic improvements occur, but lung functions do not predictably improve in proportion to normal growth after growth-friendly spine surgery for EOS.» Outcome measures in combination with lung function tests should be explored to better define the impact of EOS and its treatments.