Novel Use of Subcostal Polyethylene Bands to Manage Tumor-Related Scoliosis Requiring Serial Imaging: A Case Report.

CASE: A 16-year-old male patient with severe kyphoscoliosis, paraplegia, and neurogenic bowel/bladder caused by a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma was treated surgically using a hybrid fusion construct with polyethylene bands after neoplasm resection. Owing to the necessity of serial postoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies to evaluate the recurrence of pathology and known effect of metal artifact from spinal instrumentation, preservation of radiographic resolution was critical.

CONCLUSION

We describe the novel utility of polyethylene bands placed around the ribs as a safe and effective form of hybrid construct for reducing radiographic metal artifact in spinal deformity cases requiring serial imaging.