Imaging of juvenile spinal disorders

The growing spine is under excessive stresses during pubertal growth. There are specific pathologies, such as posterior ring apophyseal fractures, spondylolysis, and Hirayama's disease, which are primarily encountered in this subset of patients. Pain and deformity remain the common clinical presentations of these disorders. Imaging plays a vital role in elucidating the radiological manifestations of these unusual pathologies and in their subsequent management.