Pseudarthrosis is a recognized complication of posterior spinal fusion
for scoliosis, and its early recognition and repair may prevent loss of
correction, failure of the instrumentation, or pain. In this study of 200
fusions for scoliosis, we compared the reliability of different methods
that are currently used to determine the presence or absence of a
pseudarthrosis. Anteroposterior tomography was found to have the highest
rate of correlation (96 per cent), as there was only one false-negative
study. Other methods of diagnosis--including anteroposterior, lateral, and
oblique radiographs and clinical findings such as loss of correction and
back pain--were less accurate.