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Computed tomography-derived assessment of respiratory impairment in thoracic scoliosis: Comparison between idiopathic and non-idiopathic etiologies
Nanae Tsuchiya, Satoko Yogi, Akira Yogi, Gyo Iida, Akihiro Nishie, Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Ginowan 9012720, Okinawa, Japan
Koji Yonemoto, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Ginowan 9012720, Okinawa, Japan
Takanao Shimabukuro, Kotaro Nishida, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Ginowan 9012720, Okinawa, Japan
Author contributions: Tsuchiya N and Nishie A designed the research study; Tsuchiya N, Yogi S, Yogi A and Iida G performed the research; Shimabukuro T and Nishida K contributed clinical data; Yogi S and Tsuchiya N performed image analysis; Tsuchiya N and Yonemoto K performed statistical analysis; Tsuchiya N drafted the manuscript; and all authors contributed to manuscript revision and approve the final manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Clinical Research of University of the Ryukyus (Approval No. 23-2261-00-00-00).
Informed consent statement: Because this retrospective study used anonymized clinical data, the requirement for informed consent for study participation was waived by the Ethics Committee of Clinical Research of University of the Ryukyus.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Akihiro Nishie received funding from Canon Medical Systems. The present study did not receive any financial or technical support from this company.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement—checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement—checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Corresponding author: Nanae Tsuchiya, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Kiyuna 1076, Ginowan 9012720, Okinawa, Japan.
Received: February 14, 2026
Revised: April 16, 2026
Accepted: May 18, 2026
Published online: June 28, 2026
Processing time: 131 Days and 18.5 Hours
Revised: April 16, 2026
Accepted: May 18, 2026
Published online: June 28, 2026
Processing time: 131 Days and 18.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: In thoracic scoliosis, computed tomography (CT)-based analysis demonstrated more pronounced respiratory impairment in non-idiopathic cases, particularly in those with neuromuscular involvement. Associations between spinal deformity and respiratory parameters varied between groups and should be interpreted as exploratory. Although surgical correction improved spinal alignment, CT-derived lung volumes did not show immediate postoperative improvement. However, selective enlargement of the left bronchus suggests a localized effect on airway compression. CT-based evaluation may provide useful complementary information, especially in patients unable to perform reliable pulmonary function testing.