Characteristics of Chinese Costal Cartilage and Costa Calcification Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Imaging

Abstract

To assess characteristics of Chinese costal cartilage and costa calcification using Dual-Energy computed tomography(DECT). 154 patients who underwent chest DECT scanning were included in our study. They were divided into following groups: less than 30 years old, 31–40 years old, 41–50 years old, 51–60 years old and over 60 years old. The sixth, seventh and eighth costal cartilages and costas were evaluated. Calcification patterns of cartilage were classified as central(C), peripheral(P), mixed(M) and no calcification(N) types. Calcification degree of cartilage was distinguished as 1(0–25%), 2(26–50%) and 3(>50%). CT value, calcium and water concentrations were measured in costal cartilage, cortical or cancellous bone respectively. An increasing C pattern of cartilage was displayed in females, while P type preferred in males as age increased. Calcification degree generally changed from 1 to 2 or 3 in females. CT value and calcium concentration of cartilage went through a gradual rising course and peaked in their 40–50 years, while those two indices of cancellous bone decreased gradually since their 50 years in females. The findings suggest a gradual calcification of the costal cartilage took place before 40–50 years old and a sharp bone loss of the costa happened after 40–50 years old in females.

Association of Quantified Costal Cartilage Calcification and Long-Term Cumulative Blood Glucose Exposure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

“…( Figure S2 ) The first pair of cartilages entirely visible in the superior end of the image FOV, usually 5 th - 7 th rib, was selected for CCC quantification. The straight configuration and relatively parallel orientation of this pair to the axial CT plane compared to the ribs below facilitated measurements and increased their reproducibility ( 16 , 27 ). Using the same infrastructure for CAC Volume score measurement in the Vitrea platform (Vitrea 7.11, Vital Images), the calcification score for each costal cartilage is calculated as the sum of calcified voxels with a predefined calcium threshold ( 28 ).…”

“…Calcification of costal cartilage (CCC) can be easily and reliably quantified using conventional non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) images, including non-contrast cardiac CT images acquired for Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring (15). CCC has been primarily considered an age-related process with distinct patterns according to sex (16). There are only a few scattered reports of extensive CCC in metabolic and endocrine disorders such as hypo-or hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, rickets, adrenogenital syndrome, Keutel syndrome, and abnormal hematologic syndromes such as porphyria (17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”

Autologous costal chondral transplantation and costa-derived chondrocyte implantation: emerging surgical techniques

“…109 Calcification of the costal cartilage is a natural progress that should be carefully evaluated preoperatively using ultrasonography 110 or dual-energy CT imaging. 111 Generally, ossification initiates from the first rib cartilage and progresses up to the twelfth rib. 100 Costal cartilage calcification is closely associated with ageing.…”

Quantitative Analysis on Cartilage Growth Between Ipsilateral and Contralateral Donor Sites in Microtia Patients

“…Significant differences in biomechanical properties of costal cartilage exist with age 9 . Zhang et al 10 discovered gradual calcification of the costal cartilage before 40 to 50 years of age. Apart from the assessment of the costal cartilage in preparation for microtia reconstruction, there is very little data on the growth differences between ipsilateral and contralateral donor sites for costal cartilage harvest in patients with microtia.…”