Scoliosis associated with congenital brain-stem abnormalities

Abstract

Eight children of five families, seven boys and one girl, suffering from scoliosis associated with absence of lateral eye movement and horizontal nystagmus have been studied. The absence of lateral vision was noticed soon after birth, while the scoliosis appeared after the beginning of walking. A review of the relevant bibliography is presented, with a summary of the 18 cases of this interesting syndrome so far described. The pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis is considered in the light of the information obtained from the study of these patients.