Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42009918›Full record

ReviewEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2026

Distinguishing reactive scoliosis: clinical presentation, pathophysiology and a proposed clinical framework.

Bassel G Diebo, Joseph E Nassar, Renaud Lafage, Vincent Challier, Sebastien Pesenti, Virginie Lafage

Erratum issuedAbstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bassel G DieboDepartment of Orthopedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA. dr.basseldiebo@gmail.com.
Joseph E NassarDepartment of Orthopedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA. jen06@mail.aub.edu.
Renaud LafageDepartment of Orthopaedics, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA.
Vincent ChallierDepartment of Spinal Surgery Unit, Hôpital Privé Francheville, Place Francheville 24000 Périgueux, France.
Sebastien PesentiDepartment of Pediatric Orthopedics, Timone Enfants, Aix-Marseille University, 264 rue Saint Pierre, Marseille 13005, France.
Virginie LafageDepartment of Orthopaedics, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study introduces "reactive scoliosis" as an umbrella term formalizing various scoliosis subtypes that arise secondary to lumbar disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, and benign tumors. It aims to synthesize current evidence on the clinical presentations, pathophysiology, and surgical management of these subtypes, and to propose a preliminary clinical framework to guide their differentiation and treatment.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus from inception through October 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included combinations of "scoliosis" with "lumbar disc herniation", "spondylolisthesis", "osteoid osteoma", "osteoblastoma", and "ganglioneuroma". Studies were included if they addressed pathophysiology, clinical presentation, radiographic features, or surgical outcomes of reactive scoliosis subtypes. Two independent reviewers extracted data on curve magnitude, vertebral rotation, trunk shift, and surgical response.

resultsEach reactive scoliosis subtype demonstrates distinct clinical and radiographic characteristics. Spasm scoliosis from lumbar disc herniation presents with short lumbosacral curves, minimal apical rotation, and significant coronal imbalance, typically resolving after discectomy. Pure spasm scoliosis from spondylolisthesis similarly resolves following fusion alone, while olisthetic scoliosis, characterized by vertebral rotation at the slip site rather than the curve apex, requires additional rotational correction. Tumor-driven scoliosis, including osteoid osteomas, osteoblastomas, and ganglioneuromas, demands individualized imaging and surgical strategies, with staged approaches warranted in structurally destructive cases.

conclusionAccurate identification of reactive scoliosis subtypes is critical for surgical planning. The proposed expanded clinical framework, building upon Guo et al.'s modified Crostelli classification, offers surgeons a structured approach to differentiate these etiologies and optimize management. Prospective studies are needed to validate the algorithm and refine its clinical applicability.

Indexed as

Reactive scoliosis; Spasm scoliosis; Olisthetic scoliosis; Spondylolisthesis; Lumbar disc herniation.

Identifiers

PMID42009918

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.