Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial event and is known to be caused by the following factors:
genetic, neurological and skeletal growth abnormalities, histological variables including changes in muscle fiber content and nuclear structure, metabolic and endocrine disorders, vestibular dysfunction and changes in platelet microarchitecture. Posture and gravity are less important in the development of scoliosis than previously thought.
Batın et al. 2023 were able to prove that the pineal gland size was significantly reduced in idiopathic juvenile scoliosis.
Melatonin is an important marker for spinal growth and bone mineralization. The production of melatonin is said to be directly proportional to the volume of the pineal gland.
The study and control groups each comprised 26 patients who met the inclusion criteria. X-rays and MRI of the pineal glands were used for the radiological examinations.
The distribution of age, sex, Risser grading for radiological skeletal development, and sexual maturity according to Tanner categorization were consistent and
not statistically significant between groups.
Results When evaluating the pineal gland volumes of the cases by age, it was found that the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis group significantly reduced pineal gland volumes in all age groups. The pineal gland volume was 38.1% less compared to the control group.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients 13 years of age exhibit the lowest pineal volume (77.2 ± 13.86 mm3), while patients 15 years of age exhibit the highest volume (97.9 ± 16.47 mm3).