Neural Axis Abnormalities in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Is Routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Indicated Irrespective of Curve Severity?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-verified neural axis abnormalities (NAAs) have been described in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and several risk factors have been associated with the presence of NAAs in AIS patients. However, the clinical significance of these findings is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of NAAs in a large consecutive cohort of AIS patients and to evaluate the clinical significance of previously proposed risk factors