Burnei-Gavriliu classification of congenital scoliosis

Introduction: The existent classifications of congenital scoliosis cannot contain all the cases encountered in the medical practice taking into account the complexity of the spine deformity in this pathology. Purpose: The paper represents a retrospective study that analyses a new classification of congenital scoliosis in comparison with the existing classification. Materials and method: This study analyses 56 cases over a period of 14 years (2000-2013), based on the spine dominant deviation: longitudinal or rotational imbalance. Results: This new classification contains not only the formation, segmentation and mixed defects, but also the formation failure with or without fusion failure of the ossification centers (wedged vertebra, hemivertebral body, segmented, hemisegmented, unsegmented hemivertebra, which may be successive, intermittent, alternant compensated or alternant decompensated). It also contains the congenital scoliosis with a rotational imbalance by spinal traction, spinal pushing or by a mixed effect. Discussion: In comparison with the other classifications in literature: Winter, Imagama or Kawakami, this classification systematizes data according not only to the spatial disposition of the hemivertebrae, but also to the balance of the deformity. Conclusions: In conclusion, this classification of congenital scoliosis has a practical, diagnostic, therapeutical and prognostic use.