A quantitative study on the spatial and temporal ossification patterns of vertebral centra and neural arches and their relationship to the fetal age

Bareggi, Renato; Grill, Vittorio; Zweyer, Marina; Narducci, Paola; Forabosco, Antonino

doi:10.1016/s0940-9602(11)80502-9

Cited by 34 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In our opinion, this is a direct consequence of the timing of ossification, since the neural processes ossify in a predictable pattern, probably starting with the cervical part of the spine [2, 3, 19]. The present results have supported the fact that the ossification sequence of neural processes progresses from cervical to sacral.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…The vertebral bodies begin to ossify in the distal thoracic-proximal lumbar spine and simultaneously progress both cranially and caudally [2, 22]. The topographical sequence of neural ossification centers is somewhat ambiguous with the three possible spinal origins: at the same time in the thoracolumbar, cervico-thoracic and proximal cervical segments [5], or in the mid-thoracic segment [19], or in the proximal cervical segment [3]. The detailed knowledge on neural ossification centers appears to be an immense prerequisite for both the prenatal detection and exclusion of achondrogenesis, caudal regression syndrome, diastematomyelia [17, 26, 28], and spina bifida [11, 15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Cross-sectional study of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1–S5 in the human fetus

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeAn understanding of the normal evolution of the spine is of great relevance in the prenatal detection of spinal abnormalities. This study was carried out to estimate the length, width, cross-sectional area and volume of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1–S5 in the human fetus.Materials and methodsUsing the methods of CT (Biograph mCT), digital-image analysis (Osirix 3.9) and statistics (the one-way ANOVA test for paired data, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Levene’s test, Student’s t test, the one-way ANOVA test for unpaired data with post hoc RIR Tukey comparisons) the size for the neural ossification centers throughout the spine in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses (27 males, 28 females) at ages of 17–30 weeks was studied.ResultsThe neural ossification centers were visualized in the whole pre-sacral spine, in 74.5 % for S1, in 61.8 % for S2, in 52.7 % for S3, and in 12.7 % for S4. Neither male–female nor right–left significant differences in the size of neural ossification centers were found. The neural ossification centers were the longest within the cervical spine. The maximum values referred to the axis on the right, and to C5 vertebra on the left. There was a gradual decrease in length for the neural ossification centers of T1–S4 vertebrae. The neural ossification centers were the widest within the proximal thoracic spine and narrowed bi-directionally. The growth dynamics for CSA of neural ossification centers were found to parallel that of volume. The largest CSAs and volumes of neural ossification centers were found in the C3 vertebra, and decreased in the distal direction.ConclusionsThe neural ossification centers show neither male–female nor right–left differences. The neural ossification centers are characterized by the maximum length for C2–C6 vertebrae, the maximum width for the proximal thoracic spine, and both the maximum cross-sectional area and volume for C3 vertebra. There is a sharp decrease in size of the neural ossification centers along the sacral spine. A decreasing sequence of values for neural ossification centers along the spine from cervical to sacral appears to parallel the same direction of the timing of ossification. The quantitative growth of the neural ossification centers is of potential relevance in the prenatal diagnosis and monitoring of achondrogenesis, caudal regression syndrome, diastematomyelia and spina bifida.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-sectional study of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1–S5 in the human fetus

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Barregi et al [5] observed first appearance of the ossification centres for both vertebral centra and neural arches in foetuses of crown-rump length 45 mm, what corresponds to 10 weeks of age. However, these authors designated such foetuses to the age group of 8 weeks.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Ossification of the vertebral column in human foetuses: histological and computed tomography studies

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is important to differentiate embryological development of the sacrum from its ultrasound appearance. Bareggi et al [1,2] have shown that vertebral ossification centers are present from 11 weeks of gestation (WG) for S1 (craniocaudal length [CRL] = 45 mm), from 13 WG for S2 (CRL = 70-77 mm) and S3 (CRL = 77 mm), from 16 WG for S4 (CRL = 109 mm), and from 17 WG for S5 (CRL = 112 mm). Yet these are not visualized by ultrasound since S1 is identifiable from 13 WG, S2 from 16 WG, S3 from 18 WG, S4 from 21 WG, and S5 from 24 WG [3] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Think of the Conus Medullaris at the Time of Diagnosis of Fetal Sacral Agenesis

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: There is no precise prenatal indicator to refine an accurate prognosis in case of sacral agenesis and to define the diagnostic approach and outcome criteria in case of fetal sacral agenesis using 3 characteristics of the conus medullaris (CM): its position, its appearance, and associated spinal abnormalities. Methods: Ten cases of prenatally diagnosed sacral agenesis were included between 1995 and 2014 after collating ultrasound findings and prenatal computed tomography data. Results: Two cases of total sacral agenesis and 8 of partial agenesis were included. There were 1 or more spinal abnormalities in 8/10 cases: 6 lipomas, 4 low-lying tethered cords, 2 diastematomyelias, and 1 syringomyelia. Three situations were distinguished: sacral agenesis with low-lying tethered cord, sacral agenesis with a truncated CM, and sacral agenesis with CM in place. If the sacral agenesis is isolated, a lipoma should be sought. Lipomas of the filum have a good prognosis, whereas lipomas of the CM cause neurological deficits in 1/3 of cases. When there is a low-lying tethered cord, a diastematomyelia or a syringomyelia may be associated. In truncated CM, there may be a severe form suggestive of caudal regression syndrome. Serious ultrasound signs are immobility of the lower limbs, talipes equinovarus, impaired bladder emptying, and dilatation of the upper urinary tract. Conclusion: A precise description of the morphology of the CM, its position, and associated spinal malformations are important in defining the neurological, urinary, gastrointestinal, and motor functions prognosis in cases of fetal sacral agenesis.

show abstract

A quantitative study on the spatial and temporal ossification patterns of vertebral centra and neural arches and their relationship to the fetal age

Cited by 34 publications

References 18 publications

Cross-sectional study of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1–S5 in the human fetus

Cross-sectional study of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1–S5 in the human fetus

Ossification of the vertebral column in human foetuses: histological and computed tomography studies

Think of the Conus Medullaris at the Time of Diagnosis of Fetal Sacral Agenesis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About