Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37966531›Full record

ArticleInternational orthopaedics2024

Ultrasonographic assessment of magnetic growing rods overestimates the lengthening of the thoracic spine compared to radiographs in early-onset scoliotic patients.

Leonardo Oggiano, Sergio De Salvatore, Sergio Sessa, Cloe Curri, Pier Francesco Costici, Laura Ruzzini

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in International orthopaedics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.6field-weighted citation impact, top 28% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Outcomes and complications of bipolar fusionless constructs for early-onset scoliosis: a systematic review.European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Leonardo OggianoOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Sergio De SalvatoreOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. Sergio.desalvatore@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-9111-3638
Sergio SessaOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Cloe CurriOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Pier Francesco CosticiOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Laura RuzziniResearch Unit of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Roma, Italy.
Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital · ITUniversità Campus Bio-Medico · IT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMagnetic growing rods (MGRs) are one of the most common procedures to treat early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Radiographic examinations (X-ray) or ultrasonographic (US) assessments are used to evaluate the lengthening of the rods. X-ray exposes patients to radiation, while the US has not been validated and may be affected by the radiologist's ability to assess elongation. The research question of the present study is to compare the difference between US and X-ray growth assessments in EOS patients treated with MGRs.

methodsThe study enrolled 65 patients consecutively from July 2011 to July 2022. Noninvasive lengthening was performed every four months, and X-ray follow-up was performed at different intervals. An experienced radiologist assessed the mean US rod elongation per session. The mean elongation/session of T2-T12 and T2-S1 was calculated, and the results were compared using an independent t-test.

resultsThe mean age at operation was 8.8 ± 2 years, and the mean follow-up was four ± two years. The average rod elongation assessed by the US was 3.1 ± 0.1 mm. The average rod elongation evaluated by X-ray was 1.2 ± 2.9 mm (T2-T12) and 1.8 ± 1.9 mm (T2-S1). The difference between the values measured by US and X-ray was statistically significant in the T2-T12 group (p < 0.05) and not significant in the T2-S1 group (p = 0.34).

conclusionsThis is the most extensive single-center study comparing US and X-ray data for MGRs in EOS patients. US overestimates thoracic spine elongation compared to X-ray. US elongation analysis could be appropriate in long thoracolumbar curves.

Indexed as

RadiographyScoliosisThoracic VertebraeUltrasonographyBone LengtheningChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansMaleDual rodEarly onset scoliosisMagnetic growing rodScoliosisSurgical treatment

Identifiers

PMID37966531
OpenAlexW4388702954

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.