Scoliosis correction surgery for patients with McCune–Albright syndrome using pedicle screws: a report of two cases with different characteristics and a review of the literature

Purpose: Scoliosis can occur secondary to McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS); it can be progressive and sometimes requires surgical treatment. It is still unclear if pedicle screw (PS) fixation in these patients with poor bone quality can be considered an effective treatment for scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to report two MAS patients with spinal fibrous dysplasia (FD) who underwent scoliosis surgeries with the PS system. Methods: Case 1: a 12-year-old girl. Standing posteroanterior radiographs revealed a 58° right curve from T7 to L2. Computed tomography (CT) showed small areas of FD throughout the spine. A posterior spinal arthrodesis from T4 to L3 using PS fixation was performed with a CT-based navigation system. Case 2: a 26-year-old woman. Radiographs in the standing position revealed a right 87° curve from T8 to L2 and a 55° kyphosis from T8 to T12. CT images showed multiple areas of severe spinal FD causing angular deformity and collapse of vertebral bodies. The patient underwent posterior spinal arthrodesis from T8 to her pelvis using a CT-based navigation system for PS fixation. Results: Superior scoliosis corrections were obtained using PS instrumentation, attaining complete bony union in both cases without major complications. However, Case 2 had some technical difficulties in treating due to the multiple large FD lesions. Conclusions: PS fixation can be considered an effective treatment for correcting scoliosis and maintaining the correction at follow-up in MAS patients with poor bone quality. However, great care must be taken when performing correction and follow-up.