1. Sonographic Evaluation of MAGEC Growing Scoliosis Rods in Pediatric Patients
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Department of Orthopaedics
Department of Radiology
Peter Sturm, MD
Sara M. O’Hara, MD
Lindsay Schultz, BS,CCRP

2. Disclosures Peter Sturm, MD- Consultant for Medtronic
Consultant for Ellipse
Sara M. O’Hara, MD- Speakers bureau Toshiba Medical Ultrasound
Lindsay Schultz, BS,CCRP - NONE

3. Purpose
Adjustable, magnetically controlled “growing” scoliosis rods (MAGEC rods) are increasingly used in pediatric patients, and require periodic adjustments and confirmation of lengthening following this non-invasive procedure.
Previously, adjustable rods required open surgical procedures for lengthening. The purpose of our study was to determine if these MAGEC rods could be adequately visualized and measured with ultrasound, thereby minimizing radiation exposure from serial spine X-rays.
MAGEC ROD
Expanded segment
Expandable rod housing
Motor and housing

4. MAGEC ROD
Segment we measure
Motor
Rod housing
Extended segment of rod

5. Materials & Methods
All patients with recently implanted MAGEC rods were examined with ultrasound before and after their first transcutaneous magnetic rod lengthening procedures. Measurements obtained sonographically were compared with the length programmed into the magnetic motor used to extend the rod. Measurements will also be compared with scoliosis X-rays obtained once or twice each year.
Sets the motor driver parameters, then activates on patient
Motor is audible, stops automatically, not painful!
Ortho localizes the motor
with magnetic wand (blue)
or with ultrasound,
and marks site(s),

6. Ultrasound can readily identify:
Gap between housing and extended rod and tapered end of rod
We measure and report
distance between gap and
TOP of slope,
pre & post lengthening

7. Results 12 patients have been studied to this point (3 month period)
6 female, and 6 male, between 6 and 10 years of age
All of the MAGEC rods were well visualized sonographically before and after lengthening procedure.
All of the patients showed good correlation between post-op scoliosis measurements and first, pre-lengthening ultrasound measurements.
4 of the 13 patients rods showed less lengthening than expected based on the length programmed into the magnetic motor driver.
All patients will be re-imaged in the next few months to quantify measurement reliability and compare with expected extension parameters.

8. Conclusion
MAGEC rods can be reliably imaged with ultrasound before and after transcutaneous lengthening procedures, thereby reducing radiation exposure.
In addition, the ultrasound may offer additional confidence that the rods have in fact extended the length programmed into the magnetic motor.