Maximal Force Generated by Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods at Different Magnetic Controlled Growing Rod Length Decreases with Rod Lengthening

OBJECTIVEAlthough the advent of magnetic growing rod technology for scoliosis has provided a means to bypass multiple hardware lengthening operations, it is important to be aware that many of these same patients have a codiagnosis of hydrocephalus with magnet-sensitive programmable ventricular shunts. As the magnetic distraction of scoliosis rods has not previously been described to affect the shunt valve setting, the authors conducted an investigation to characterize the interaction between the two devices.METHODSIn this ex vivo study, the authors carried out 360 encounters between four different shunt valve types at varying distances from the magnetic external remote control (ERC) used to distract the growing rods. Valve settings were examined before and after every interaction with the remote control to determine if there was a change in the setting.RESULTSThe Medtronic Strata and Codman Hakim valves were found to have setting changes at distances of 3 and 6 inches but not at 12 inches. The Aesculap proGAV and Codman Certas valves, typically described as MRI-resistant, did not have any setting changes due to the magnetic ERC regardless of distance.CONCLUSIONSAlthough it is not necessary to check a shunt valve after every magnetic distraction of scoliosis growing rods, if there is concern that the magnetic ERC may have been within 12 inches (30 cm) of a programmable ventricular shunt valve, the valve should be checked at the bedside with a programmer or with a skull radiograph along with postdistraction scoliosis radiographs.

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Paper #20 Health-Related Quality of Life in Early-Onset Scoliosis Patients Treated Surgically: EOSQ Scores in Traditional Growing Rod vs. Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods

Spine Deformity ◽

10.1016/j.jspd.2016.09.025 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 455

Author(s):

Muharrem Yazici ◽

H. Gokhan Demirkiran ◽

Z. Deniz Olgun ◽

Gizem Irem Kinikli ◽

Senol Bekmez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Early Onset ◽

Early Onset Scoliosis ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Growing Rods ◽

Growing Rod ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods

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Insertion of magnetically controlled growing rods in a patient with a diaphragmatic pacemaker: case report

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2017.7.focus17356 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. E14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew C. Vivas ◽

Steven W. Hwang ◽

Joshua M. Pahys

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Muscle Tone ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord ◽

Young Patients ◽

Growing Rods ◽

Growing Rod ◽

Cord Injury ◽

High Cervical ◽

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods

Phrenic stimulators offer an alternative to standard mechanical ventilation as well as the potential for ventilator independence in select patients with chronic respiratory failure. Young patients (< 10 years old) with high cervical spinal cord injuries often develop paralytic scoliosis due to loss of muscle tone caudal to their spinal cord lesion. Growing rod systems allow for stabilization of spinal deformity while permitting continued growth of the spine and thoracic cavity. Magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) offer the advantage of noninvasive expansion, as opposed to the operative expansion required in traditional growing rod systems. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of MCGRs in a patient with a diaphragmatic pacemaker (DP). A 7-year-old boy with ventilator dependence after a high cervical spinal cord injury presented to the authors’ institution with paralytic scoliosis that progressed to > 120°. The patient had previously undergone insertion of phrenic nerve stimulators for diaphragmatic pacing. The decision was made to insert MCGRs bilaterally to stabilize his deformity, because the planned lengthening surgeries that are necessary with traditional growing rods would be poorly tolerated in this patient. The patient’s surgery and postoperative course were uneventful. The DP remained functional after insertion and lengthening of the MCGRs by using the external magnet. The DP had no effect on the expansion capability of the MCGRs. In conclusion, the MCGRs appear to be compatible with the DP. Further studies are needed to validate the long-term safety and compatibility of these 2 devices.

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Premature spinal fusion after insertion of magnetically controlled growing rods for treatment of early-onset scoliosis: illustrative case

Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons ◽

10.3171/case21446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (17) ◽

Author(s):

Anna H. Green ◽

Andrzej Brzezinski ◽

Terrence Ishmael ◽

Stephen Adolfsen ◽

J. Andrew Bowe

Keyword(s):

Spinal Fusion ◽

Early Onset ◽

Early Onset Scoliosis ◽

Illustrative Case ◽

Body Habitus ◽

Growing Rods ◽

Growing Rod ◽

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods ◽

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod

BACKGROUND Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) systems have gained attention for their use in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis. Although traditional growing rods require frequent operations to lengthen the construct, MCGR allows for fewer open procedures and more frequent distractions by externally controlling rod elongation. Despite its appealing advantages, MCGR is not without limitations. OBSERVATIONS The authors describe a case of premature spinal autofusion before growing rod removal and termination of rod distraction. LESSONS This case highlights the limitations of MCGR systems, including length of use, body habitus restrictions, and risk of autofusion.

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