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Neuroradiology

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01-08-2018 | Paediatric Neuroradiology

Normal development of sacrococcygeal centrum ossification centers in the fetal spine: a postmortem magnetic resonance imaging study

Authors: Nan Jian, Mi-Mi Tian, Lian-Xiang Xiao, Hui Zhao, Yan Shi, Guan Li, Shuai Zhang, Xiang-Tao Lin

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 8/2018

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the temporal pattern of the appearance of the S1–Co1 centrum ossification centers (COCs) and provide reference data for the S1–S5 COCs and sacral length at various gestational ages (GAs).

Methods

Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 71 fetuses (GA, 17–42 weeks) using the 3D dual-echo steady-state with water excitation T2 sequence in the sagittal plane. To confirm the reliability of this sequence, the MRI data were compared with the CT and histologic data obtained from two fetuses (GAs, 21 and 30 weeks). The presence or absence of each sacrococcygeal COC was recorded. Sacral length and S1–S5 COC height, sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, cross-sectional area, and volume were measured.

Results

All fetuses showed S1–S3 COCs by 17 weeks, S4 COCs by 19 weeks, and S5 COCs by 28 weeks. The S4, S5, and Co-1 COCs were visualized in 70 (98.59%), 51 (71.83%), and 21 (29.58%) fetuses, respectively. Sacral length, height, sagittal, and transverse diameters increased linearly, while cross-sectional area and volume increased exponentially with advancing GA. Mean growth rates of the sagittal and transverse diameters, cross-sectional area, and volume, but not of height, significantly differed among the S1–S5 vertebrae.

Conclusion

We have presented the timing of appearance of individual sacrococcygeal COCs and the age-specific, normative MRI reference values for sacral length and the morphometric parameters of the sacral COCs, which are of clinical importance in the diagnosis of congenital sacral abnormalities and skeletal dysplasia.

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Title: Normal development of sacrococcygeal centrum ossification centers in the fetal spine: a postmortem magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Nan Jian
Mi-Mi Tian
Lian-Xiang Xiao
Hui Zhao
Yan Shi
Guan Li
Shuai Zhang
Xiang-Tao Lin
Publication date: 01-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-018-2050-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Normal development of sacrococcygeal centrum ossification centers in the fetal spine: a postmortem magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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