Status of growth plates can be monitored by MRI

• Published in: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 133 - 143
• Main Authors: Wada, Hiroaki, Ikoma, Kazuya, Oka, Yoshinobu, Nishida, Atsushi, Onishi, Okihiro, Kim, Wook‐Choel, Tanida, Takashi, Yamada, Shunji, Matsuda, Ken‐ichi, Tanaka, Masaki, Kubo, Toshikazu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Bones; Computed tomography; Diffusion; Diffusion coefficient; diffusion‐weighted image; Disease Models, Animal; Field strength; growth disturbance; Growth plate; Growth Plate - diagnostic imaging; growth plate injury (physeal injury); growth plates (physis); Injuries; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic resonance imaging; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical imaging; Prospective Studies; Proton density (concentration); Quantitative analysis; Rabbits; Salter-Harris Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Statistical tests; T2 map; Tibia; Variance analysis; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); growth plate injury (physeal injury); growth plates (physis); diffusion-weighted image; T2 map; growth disturbance
• ISSN: 1053-1807; 1522-2586
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26771

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, T2‐weighted imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging. Assessment Eight of 18 rabbits underwent MRI, proton density‐weighted imaging, and T2‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted imaging. T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated for each image. The growth plate height and the T2 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. T2 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 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:133–143.