Article

Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformation of the spine. As its name
suggests, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Enhanced comprehension of
its pathogenesis would be likely to improve current therapeutic results. While
the hereditary and genetic origin of scoliosis appears unassailable and several
chromosomes are known to be involved in transmission, the role assumed by each
individual chromosome remains uncertain, and the mechanisms leading to the
expression of scoliosis have yet to be determined. Even though a large number of
pathogenetic hypotheses have been put forward and numerous studies carried out,
none of these hypotheses have won unanimous approval, and the controversy remains
persistent. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to identify the existing
hypotheses and to group them within large-scale etiological categories. METHODS:
We examined the Pubmed and Goggle databases using as keywords "idiopathic
scoliosis" and "pathogenesis". The search was limited to articles in English and
French. RESULTS: The vicious cycle hypothesis is markedly preponderant. However,
no existing pathogenetic model adequately accounts for the formation of
scolioses. CONCLUSION: We are proposing four main pathogenetic mechanisms:
asymmetric bone growth dysregulation, susceptibility of bones to deformation,
abnormal passive spinal system maintenance and disturbed active spinal system
maintenance.
CI - Copyright A(c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS