pediatrics
Scheuermann Disease
Diagnosis of Scheuermann Disease
X-rays Some cases are recognized during routine screening for spinal deformity at school. Lateral spinal x-rays confirm the diagnosis of Scheuermann disease by showing anterior wedging of ≥ 5° of 3 or more consecutive vertebral bodies, usually in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions. Later, the end plates become irregular and sclerotic. Spinal misalignment is predominantly kyphotic but is sometimes partly scoliotic. In atypical cases, generalized skeletal dysplasia must be excluded by x-ray skeletal survey, and, if suspected on clinical grounds, spinal tuberculosis must be excluded by CT or MRI. 