Lippross S, Grages A, Lueders KA, et al. - A prospective study was performed to explore the impact of growth-friendly spinal implants (GFSI) with continuous distraction on vertebral body shape and volume in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) children in comparison with previously untreated age-matched SMA patients. Cohort I included a total of 19 SMA patients (age 13.2 years) without prior surgical scoliosis treatment. Cohort II included a total of 24 children (age 12.4 years), who had continuous spinal distraction with GFSI for 4.5 years. Researchers conducted radiographic measurements and computed tomography (CT) 3D volume rendering before definite spinal fusion. After GFSI treatment, CT data showed volume reduction in the vertebral body in scoliotic children. In the lumbar and lower thoracic area, this effect was more severe. Vertebral depth was reduced in the GFSI-treated group, while vertebral height was identical in both groups. The data exhibited that the reduced vertebral depth and altered vertebral morphology should be considered before instrumenting the spine in previously treated scoliotic SMA children.