Can Someone Please Explain This Xray to Me?

TazziRN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Sounds like she just has a slight structural anomaly. If you're worried, take her to the pedi and ask about it.

Meerkat · Jan 15, 2006

Yea...the thing is, I saw the Xrays, and her little spine made a perfect C shape outlining her heart. Scoliosis I guess?

Jerico, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

A one year old with scoliosis?

I guess it may be so.

In my opinion the very BEST children's scoliosis expert is Dr. John Killian in Birmingham, Alabama. I have good knowledge of his professional skills. My daughter was treated by him for the last - uh, 6 years. I'd trust him hands down.

I'd get a referral. It is nothing to mess with - just to see what a plan would be for this child.

Meerkat · Jan 15, 2006

A one year old with scoliosis?
I guess it may be so.
In my opinion the very BEST children's scoliosis expert is Dr. John Killian in Birmingham, Alabama. I have good knowledge of his professional skills. My daughter was treated by him for the last - uh, 6 years. I'd trust him hands down.
I'd get a referral. It is nothing to mess with - just to see what a plan would be for this child.

Good advice. Thanks. Is one year old too young for scoliosis?

Bipley · Jan 15, 2006

My one year old daughter was sick and I had to take her to the ER. The did chest Xrays to R/O pneumonia. That came back fine, however, the interpretation of the radiograph reads like this:
T spine anomalies are noted. Below t-5 the next vertebrae and the one below that each articulate with two right and a single or complex left rib. The left 7th rib is fused to the next lower rib at the medial posterior end with absence of one of the left ribs.
What does this mean and what is the clinical significance? The ER doc did not say she needed to see a specialist, but it sounds serious!
Thanks

Try this:

http://www.thedoctorslounge.net/forums/

Look for a radiology forum, a real live radiologist will answer your question. It's a free service run by mostly docs. A few nurses, but mostly docs. Look for a radiologist to answer your question in excrutiating detail! BTW... let them know you are a nurse, off the record... it makes a difference. (I volunteer there) Might take a few days to get a detailed explanation but it will be well worth the wait. You might get info there that you wouldn't get otherwise.

Cute_CNA, CNA · Jan 15, 2006

I think you need to see a doctor to help you interpret the results. Making guesses could lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment.

A C-shaped spine and a rib missing sounds very bad. What was that ER doc thinking? Curvature of the spine can mean crushed internal organs. You should take this seriously. I have scoliosis and kyphosis myself.

Edit: My mistake. See a pediatric orthopaedic DOCTOR. They diagnose AND treat the problem. Radiologists are more limited in their education.

Bipley · Jan 15, 2006

I think you need to see a doctor to help you interpret the results. Making guesses could lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment.
A C-shaped spine sounds very bad. Curvature of the spine can mean crushed internal organs. You should take this seriously. I have scoliosis and kyphosis myself. Talk to a chiropractor, not a radiologist.

Cute CNA...

I'd have to disagree. Depending on the state a Chiro has anywhere from 2-6 years of education. When I worked for a Neuro guy our best business came from botched up chiro jobs. A radiologist has a lot more education and can read a film much better than most chiros. A radiologist isn't likely to treat the problem, just dx it.

Radiologist... all the way.

pugmum · Jan 15, 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cute_CNA
I think you need to see a doctor to help you interpret the results. Making guesses could lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment.

A C-shaped spine sounds very bad. Curvature of the spine can mean crushed internal organs. You should take this seriously. I have scoliosis and kyphosis myself. Talk to a chiropractor, not a radiologist.
Cute CNA...
I'd have to disagree. Depending on the state a Chiro has anywhere from 2-6 years of education. When I worked for a Neuro guy our best business came from botched up chiro jobs. A radiologist has a lot more education and can read a film much better than most chiros. A radiologist isn't likely to treat the problem, just dx it.
Radiologist... all the way.

I'd have to agree. At the very least, get back to your pcp and get a satisfactory explanation.

Jerico, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Good advice. Thanks. Is one year old too young for scoliosis?

Am not sure. That is why I suggested a pediatric orthopedic specialist who specializes in spinal disorders.

If it is not treated in a timely fashion scoliosis (if this is what indeed your dd has...) can be debilitating. If scoliosis has a greater than 40 degree curvature, they advise spinal surgery to stop the curvature. The reason they want to stop curvature is because it can compromise the function of organs such as the heart and lungs. The curvature of the spine, fusion of the ribs can compromise expansion of the lungs, heart contraction, etc.

As a person gets older - into their 40s - 50s - and the spine begins to "settle" as with everyone aging, scoliosis (and kyphosis) can cause weight distribution issues, and other issues.

Am not a doctor. But have been closely involved with study in scoliosis.

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 15, 2006

I am going to refer the OP to her doctor with her questions. Allnurses.com cannot exchange medical advice, per Terms of Service. Please see your own doctor, and even get a second opinion, if you are unsure. We are not qualified to answer your questions here.

I hope all is well and the news is reassuring, truly.

Thank you for understanding.