Status of growth plates can be monitored by MRI

Abstract

Background: Growth plate injuries and disorders cause premature closure, resulting in shortened or deformed limbs. Quantitative assessment by MRI might monitor the status of the growth plate and may assist in the prediction of these deformations. Purpose: To investigate whether the status of the growth plate can be monitored by quantitative evaluation using MRI of the noninjured region of the growth plate in a physeal injury model. Study Type: Prospective, longitudinal. Animal Model: A 3.0-mm drill was used to create an injury to the central region of the right proximal tibial growth plate in 5-week-old male Japanese white rabbits (N = 18). The left tibia served as the control. Field Strength/Sequence: 7.04T, T 2 -weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging. Assessment: Eight of 18 rabbits underwent MRI, proton density-weighted imaging, and T 2 -weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging. T 2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated for each image. The growth plate height and the T 2 and ADC values of the noninjured region were measured. Two rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks postinjury. Proximal tibial bones were evaluated using microcomputed tomography, histological, and immunohistological methods. Statistical Tests: Data were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Tukey post-hoc multiple comparison. Results: Growth plate height decreased at 10 weeks postinjury (P = 0.018) on the injured side. T 2 values were greater at 2 weeks postinjury (P = 0.0478) and decreased at 8 and 10 weeks (P = 0.0226, P = 0.0470, respectively) on the injured side. ADC values increased at 6 weeks on the lateral side (P = 0.0304) and decreased at 8 weeks and 10 weeks postinjury (P < 0.01) on the medial and injured sides, respectively. Data Conclusion: Quantitative MRI can help monitor the status of the growth plate and capture its changes early. Level of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

Magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging of the adolescent rabbit growth plate of the knee

“…We used a multi‐gradient echo 3D sequence to assess growth plate height and volume and found that it performed equal to the other modalities. Our study supports the findings of Wada et al who used Japanese white rabbits to evaluate the tibial growth plate after physeal injuries using PD‐weighted sequences 27 . Additionally, we observed a correlation of height measurements between MRI using multi‐gradient echo 3D sequence and histomorphometry.…”

“…Our study supports the findings of Wada et al who used Japanese white rabbits to evaluate the tibial growth plate after physeal injuries using PD‐weighted sequences. 27 Additionally, we observed a correlation of height measurements between MRI using multi‐gradient echo 3D sequence and histomorphometry. Moreover, our study reports a similar correlation with μCT.…”

Burosumab for X-linked hypophosphatemia in children and adolescents: Opinion based on early experience in seven European countries

“…Moreover, the monitoring of rickets healing using RSS and radiographs becomes less sensitive in children >13 years old or once growth plate closure has occurred ( 28 , 41 , 42 ). MRI could be helpful to determine closure of growth plates in adolescents and to monitor changes in bone quality ( 43 , 44 ). Additional tools such as EOS 2D/3D imaging and Gait lab could be useful to determine changes in bone quality and bone deformity, especially in older children ( 4 , 45 ).…”