Observation When congenital scoliosis is detected in infants and children, the need for surgery is immediate. Usually, parents reconsider and hope for a miracle – don’t 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’s 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.