Congenital scoliosis is a defect in the vertical curvature of the spine that is present at birth. Children with congenital scoliosis sometimes have other abnormalities such as kidney or bladder abnormalities.

Occipital spondylolisthesis is a congenital malformation characterized by abnormalities of the brain in the occipital region. This type of malformation is usually treated with surgery. The goal of occipital spondylolisthesis surgery is to alleviate symptoms or prevent the progression of the syringomyelia.