[The importance of radiologic studies for the differentiated treatment of scoliosis].

Structural scoliosis is defined by curvature, fixation, rotation and torsion. Each case is different and must be assessed on the basis of etiology, flexibility, patient age, skeletal age, progression and degree, level, and the number of the deformities in order to decide whether conservative or operative treatment should be administered. The most important factor in the choice of therapy is radiographic evaluation to allow accurate measurement. This involves standing X-rays of the whole spine (plan d'éléction), checking with corset and cast, tomography, spot-film radiography, CT and MRI in congenital and neuromuscular deformities and neurofibromatosis, oblique projection after operations, and radiography of the left hand and the iliac crest to determine the bone age. The classification and terminology of scoliosis are presented, as are the interpretation and measurement of the radiographs and the treatment indications.