The treatment of juvenile scoliosis also requires a period of observation, unless the deformity is severe enough to require surgical treatment. How is the condition observed and when is surgery necessary? The following is an explanation of some of the observation stages. Observation When congenital scoliosis in infants and children is detected, whether surgery is needed immediately. Usually, parents will think twice about it, hoping for a miracle – not to have surgery. However, this is a very fatal mistake. However, close observation is very important and necessary. How to make proper observation of the condition without delaying the child’s treatment? Here is what you need to know about observation. Observation is usually the first method used to treat spinal deformities in young children. The doctor first needs to determine if the curvature continues to progress. Some children have a stable spinal curvature with little change, while others have a spinal curvature that continues to worsen. Just because your child is being observed by a pediatric spine surgeon does not mean that treatment will not be given. During this time, the doctor will not only watch for changes in the curvature of the spine, but will also perform special tests or refer you to see additional doctors to further evaluate your child’s condition. These tests may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams or CT exams. Your child may need to see other specialists, such as a geneticist, cardiologist or pulmonologist, to make sure there are no problems in other parts of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to evaluate the spinal cord and to check for any abnormalities that may be causing scoliosis or kyphosis. CT scans provide a better understanding of the anatomy of a congenital scoliosis deformity. If your child is suspected of having pulmonary insufficiency syndrome, your spine surgeon will order a CT scan of the chest to measure your child’s lung volumes for comparison with standard values. When properly tuned, CT scans are low in radiation. The pediatric spine surgeon will review the child approximately every 4 to 6 months and perform a front and side x-ray each time, then measure the amount of scoliosis and compare it to previous x-rays and, of course, the films from the first visit. Ideally, all x-rays are done with a pediatric spine surgeon so that the doctor can compare them to similar types of x-rays and keep your child’s records. As long as there is no dramatic increase in curvature, the doctor may continue to observe, and in some rare cases, the lateral curvature will improve or even disappear (such as infantile scoliosis). If your pediatric spine surgeon’s records indicate a worsening of the curvature, then other treatments may be needed. X-rays of the spinal curvature can assess the flexibility of the spine and help determine the next step in treatment.