Foramen magnum stenosis, cervicomedullary decompression, and growth in children with achondroplasia: a retrospective cohort study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Foramen magnum stenosis (FMS) is a serious complication in children with achondroplasia that may necessitate cervicomedullary decompression (CMD). It is unclear how FMS and CMD influence growth in these children. This study aimed to assess the effects of FMS and CMD on the growth of children with achondroplasia. METHODS: Eighty-seven children (45 males, 42 females) with achondroplasia, aged 4 to 6 years, were evaluated. Height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index were expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) according to Merker et al., while sitting height SDS was derived using Tanner’s methods. FMS was graded on magnetic resonance imaging using Fornarino’s score. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (26 males, 26 females) underwent CMD at a median age of 0.95 years (IQR 0.52;1.50). Of these, 28 (53.8%) were under one year old at the time of CMD, with a median age of 0.6 years (0.4;0.7). The remaining 24 children had CMD after their first year of life, with a median age of 1.6 years (1.3;2.8). The median age at anthropometric assessment was 5.16 years (4.74;5.50). Children who underwent CMD showed significantly lower median height SDS, particularly among males compared to females (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired growth in children with foramen magnum stenosis requiring cervicomedullary decompression may primarily reflect greater disease severity, while the potential contribution of surgery remains uncertain.
Authors: Daniela Fava, Alessia Angelelli, Caterina Tedesco, Marta Panciroli, Silvia Bianchin, Daniela Teruzzi, Alessandra Scaravilli, Angelica Pisati, Isabella Barranca, Mariagrazia Scilipoti, Mariasavina Severino, Flavia Napoli, Nadia Gabriella Maiorano, Alessandro Naim, Sofia Negri, Giuseppa Patti, Angela Pistorio, Natascia Di Iorgi, Anna Elsa Maria Allegri, Mohamad Maghnie, The Skeletal Dysplasia Multidisciplinary Team (GM-MOC)
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W7126081768