Scheuermann's Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine in a Boy.

Scheuermann’s disease (juvenile kyphosis dorsalis) is a structural kyphosis of the thoracic spine initially described by Scheuermann in 1921. It occurs commonly in adolescents (0.4-8.3% of the general population). It is characterized by irregularities of the vertebral end plates, the presence of Schmorl’s nodes, disk-space narrowing, and vertebral wedging. Scheuermann’s disease is rarely associated with neurological complications [1]. The cause of Scheuermann’s disease remains unknown. Several theories have been suggested involving release of excess growth hormone, defective formation of collagen fibrils with subsequent weakening of the vertebral end plates, juvenile osteoporosis, trauma, vitamin A deficiency, poliomyelitis, and epiphysitis [2].