What kind of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? Idiopathic scoliosis that develops between the ages of 10 and 18 is called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and is the common type of idiopathic scoliosis, accounting for more than 80% of idiopathic scoliosis. What are the causes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? Much work has been done on the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis, but no plausible cause has been proposed. However, there are a number of different ideas as to the cause, including hormonal imbalance, asymmetric growth and muscle imbalance. Approximately 30% of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are familial, so it is speculated that there may be a genetic link. Many members of the Scoliosis Research Society are working to identify the genes that can cause adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and the theory continues to expand rapidly. It is likely that many genes are involved in scoliosis and that each gene contributes to the diagnosis of scoliosis and to determining the risk of scoliosis progression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not commonly used in the examination of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of the crest. It is used specifically to reexamine things other than the crest, such as looking at the crestal medulla to make sure there are no abnormalities. If your doctor finds subtle nerve abnormalities during your physical exam, or if intense pain is associated with scoliosis of the crest or an abnormal scoliosis is shown on a radiograph, your doctor will recommend an MRI. The likelihood of seeing something abnormal on an MRI is small, but if something abnormal is found, further identification by a neurosurgeon is needed.