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NCT Number: NCT07135765

Paravertebral Muscles Assessment Using High-resolution MRI in Idiopathic or Neuromuscular Scoliosis Children

Scoliosis is a common three-dimensional spinal deformity defined by vertebral rotation.

Apart from collapse scoliosis, clinical and radiological similarities have been observed in children with secondary scoliosis of neuromuscular origin and children with idiopathic scoliosis in terms of the location and type of curvature.

It seems relevant to study the axial musculature in these children in more detail, particularly the deep muscles (transversospinales muscles) that have a stabilising and rotational function (multifidi and rotatores).

MRI is a non-invasive, non-irradiating technique used in the aetiological diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis before adolescence and in the diagnosis of secondary scoliosis. However, the muscles are not specifically studied during these examinations. They are performed to analyse the spinal cord and rule out hinge deformities, although this technique does provide information on the paravertebral muscles.

The muscles of interest should be analysed using the usual sequences, with the addition of a sequence (DTI) specific to the study of deep muscles in children undergoing axial MRI. This adds 5 minutes to the standard MRI procedure.

Several morphological muscle parameters would be thus obtained on specific interest areas and then compared between right and left side and between two groups of children, 5 suffering from idiopathic scoliosis and 5 with neuromuscular scoliosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis corresponds to a heterogeneous group of patients in terms of the location, number and progression of the curves. The research hypothesis is that there may be a subgroup of patients with idiopathic scoliosis whose progression and/or aetiology is muscular in origin.

MRI could then become a routine examination in the assessment of all scoliosis, whether idiopathic or not.

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Key information

Conditions

Scoliosis Bone Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Scoliosis Idiopathic Scoliosis Neuromuscular Spinal Curvatures Spinal Diseases

Age range

10 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CHU Raymond Poincaré - APHP

Garches, 92380, France

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

This study is based on the hypothesis that there is a subgroup of patients with idiopathic scoliosis whose onset and/or progression is linked to muscle dysfunction.

This is a prospective, comparative, non-randomised study without a control group, performed in a single centre (Garches Hospital in France is a reference centre for neuromuscular diseases and disabilities). This research is in the field of data collection techniques using imaging methods on two populations of children with scoliosis.

OBJECTIVES The primary objective is the assessment of morphological differences in paravertebral muscles between children with scoliosis of different origins (idiopathic (IS) or neuromuscular (NMS))

Secondary objectives are:

  • Assessment of morphological differences between the paravertebral muscles of the convexity and concavity in idiopathic scoliosis
  • Assessment of morphological differences between the paravertebral muscles of the convexity and concavity in neuromuscular scoliosis; RESEARCH PROCESS
  • Selection/Information The selection visit takes place during a routine consultation for the diagnosis/monitoring of scoliosis. Children with idiopathic or neuromuscular scoliosis who, as part of their treatment, need to undergo an axial MRI (spinal cord, pan spinal) and who meet the inclusion criteria could be enrolled.

Children eligible for the study and their parents, if present, will be offered the opportunity to participate in this study by the investigating physician and will be given the study information sheet.

  • Inclusion Inclusion is achieved after a minimum reflection period of 48 hours, and no later than the time of the MRI. After obtaining the child's consent and the signature of a parent or guardian, the child will be included in the study.

They will undergo the MRI scan initially prescribed. If conditions allow, they will be asked to remain still for another 5 minutes while the additional sequence is performed.

The CAPAS-Q questionnaire (2022 version) will be used to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour and will be given to the child/adolescent by the investigator to complete. Help will be provided to younger children and children with reading difficulties. The questionnaire will be collected at the end of the visit after it has been completed by the patient.

  • Data collection and analysis Imaging data will be pseudonymised, collected and analysed with Olea medical Software( olea-medical.com).

Three regions will be defined:

  • Region 1 corresponding to the proximal transitional vertebra
  • Region 2 corresponding to the apical vertebra (or disc)
  • Region 3 corresponding to the distal transitional vertebra These will then be divided into two zones according to the convexity and concavity of the curvature.
  • Region 1 convex / Region 1 concave
  • Region 2 convex / Region 2 concave
  • Region 3 convex / Region 3 concave

Thus, six regions will be defined and seven parameters per region established, i.e. 42 measurements per MRI:

  • Cross-sectional area
  • Pennation angle
  • Number of muscle fibres
  • T1 value
  • T2 value
  • Anisotropy fraction value
  • Diffusivity value (average, radial, axial)

Statistical analysis will be descriptive (prospective descriptive study). Quantitative variables will be described by the mean, standard deviation, median and interquartile range.

Qualitative variables will be described by the number of cases and frequency.

Comparisons will be made between the two groups of children with scoliosis according to the aetiology of the scoliosis.

For each of these parameters, non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney) will be performed.

A p-value < 0.05 will be considered significant. No significant difference will be sought between the two groups of children with scoliosis for each parameter, in order to verify the matching of the groups.

  • Age
  • Gender
  • BMI
  • CAPAS-Q score (activity and sedentary lifestyle)
  • Cobb angle value;

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old,
  • Scoliosis (idiopathic or neuromuscular) that is not collapsing
  • Cobb angle <40°
  • Female preferred
  • Patient able to walk
  • Average or low BMI <20kg/m2
  • Signature of informed consent by legal guardians
  • Affiliation with a social security scheme (beneficiary or dependent).

Exclusion criteria

  • Refusal of the patient and/or parents to participate in the study
  • Inability to cooperate
  • Subject with a contraindication to MRI
  • History of spinal surgery
  • Not affiliated with a social security scheme (beneficiary or entitled person)

Treatment and study plan

Additional 5 minutes of lying down position during MRI

Procedure

During axial MRI for scoliosis assessment, additional 5 minutes of lying down position in order to performing a specific sequence for the study of the vertebral muscles (Diffusion Tensor Imaging).

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: Cross-sectional area

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • Cross-sectional area

    The parameter will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  2. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: Pennation angle

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • Pennation angle

    The parameter will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  3. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: Number of muscle fibres

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • Number of muscle fibres

    The parameter will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  4. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: T1 value

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • T1 value

    The parameter will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  5. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: Anisotropy fraction value

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • Anisotropy fraction value

    These parameters will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  6. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: Diffusivity value

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • Diffusivity value (average, radial, axial)

    These parameters will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

  7. Muscular parameters defined in areas of specific interest and studied in the concavity and convexity of the main curvature: T2 value

    Time frame: at baseline

    Analysis of differences in several morphological muscle parameters obtained from MRI scans between children with scoliosis (SI versus SNM).

    • T2 value

    These parameters will be defined in areas of specific interest at the transitional vertebrae and apical vertebrae and will be studied in the concavity and convexity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hélène Gouz, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+33149094674

Marie-Line PISSONNIER, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+33 671612829

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Paravertebral Muscles Assessment Using High-resolution MRI in Children Suffering From Idiopathic or Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Acronym: MRISCOL

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 22, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 22, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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