Radiology, Vol 207, 637-645, Copyright © 1998 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Developing epiphysis: MR imaging characteristics and histologic correlation in the newborn lamb

D Jaramillo, SA Connolly, RV Mulkern and F Shapiro
Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

PURPOSE: To correlate magnetic resonance (MR) signal characteristics of developing regions at the ends of bones with the histologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 36 newborn lamb epiphyses (including cartilage of the epiphysis and physis, and bone of the secondary ossification center and juxtaphyseal metaphysis), signal intensity and thickness of cartilaginous regions seen on MR images were correlated with architecture and thickness of zones shown in corresponding histologic sections. Possible effects of T2, magnetization transfer, fat or water content, chemical shift, and anisotropy on differences in regional signal intensity were evaluated. RESULTS: MR imaging depicted five regions between the secondary ossification center and the metaphysis corresponding histologically to (a) zone of provisional calcification of the secondary ossification center, (b) physis of the secondary ossification center, (c) epiphyseal cartilage, (d) physis, and (e) zone of provisional calcification. The thickness of regions shown on T1- and T2-weighted images correlated with that of histologic zones (r = .9). T2 signal intensity and relaxation time were greater in physeal than in epiphyseal cartilage (P < .01). No regional differences due to fat or water content, magnetization transfer, chemical shift, or anisotropy were found. CONCLUSION: MR imaging findings differentiate epiphyseal and physeal regions and correlate with histologic findings. T2 is slower in physeal than in epiphyseal cartilage, probably reflecting differences in water binding.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. A. Connolly, D. Jaramillo, J. K. Hong, and F. Shapiro Skeletal Development in Fetal Pig Specimens: MR Imaging of Femur with Histologic Comparison Radiology, November 1, 2004; 233(2): 505 - 514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Dardzinski, T. Laor, V. J. Schmithorst, L. Klosterman, and T. B. Graham Mapping T2 Relaxation Time in the Pediatric Knee: Feasibility with a Clinical 1.5-T MR Imaging System Radiology, October 1, 2002; 225(1): 233 - 239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Laor, G. F. H. Chun, B. J. Dardzinski, J. A. Bean, and D. P. Witte Posterior Distal Femoral and Proximal Tibial Metaphyseal Stripes at MR Imaging in Children and Young Adults Radiology, September 1, 2002; 224(3): 669 - 674. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Takahashi, F. W. Wehrli, L. Hilaire, B. S. Zemel, and S. N. Hwang In vivo NMR microscopy allows short-term serial assessment of multiple skeletal implications of corticosteroid exposure PNAS, April 2, 2002; 99(7): 4574 - 4579. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-l. Chan, C.-k. Li, W. C.-w. Chu, L.-m. Pang, J. C.-y. Cheng, and K.-W. Chik Deferoxamine-Induced Bone Dysplasia in the Distal Femur and Patella of Pediatric Patients and Young Adults: MR Imaging Appearance Am. J. Roentgenol., December 1, 2000; 175(6): 1561 - 1566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Varich, T. Laor, and D. Jaramillo Normal Maturation of the Distal Femoral Epiphyseal Cartilage: Age-related Changes at MR Imaging Radiology, March 1, 2000; 214(3): 705 - 709. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Takahashi, F. W. Wehrli, L. Hilaire, B. S. Zemel, and S. N. Hwang In vivo NMR microscopy allows short-term serial assessment of multiple skeletal implications of corticosteroid exposure PNAS, April 2, 2002; 99(7): 4574 - 4579. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]