Relations of the soft structures of the posterior mediastinum in the scoliotic spine.

In 20 dissections of scoliotic cadavers, the changes of the structures in the posterior mediastinum in relation to the spine were found to be as follows. The aorta persistently followed and adhered to the abnormal curves of the spine. The azygos vein and the thoracic duct followed the aorta closely in its changes. The sympathetic trunk and the greater splanchnic nerves likewise followed the changes in the curvature of the scoliotic spine, but they were often disturbed in their course by vertebral osteophytes and by hyperostoses due to arthritis of the costovertebral joints. The esophagus preserved its normal straight course, unaffected by the scoliotic curves.