Nan Jian1,2, Nan Lin3, Mi-Mi Tian1, Shuai Zhang1, Guan Li4, Hui Zhao3, Lian-Xiang Xiao5, Wen-Jia Liang6, Xiang-Tao Lin7,8. 1. School of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. 2. CT Department, Heze Municipal Hospital, No. 2888 West Caozhou Road, Heze, 274031, Shandong, China. 3. Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, No. 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. 4. College of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, No. 619 Great Wall Road, Taian, 271016, Shandong, China. 5. Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Shandong University, No. 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. 6. School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, No. 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. 7. School of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. linxt@sdu.edu.cn. 8. Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, No. 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. linxt@sdu.edu.cn.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the fetal spine aimed to describe the timing of appearance, shape, volume, and relative positions of the S1-S3 costal element ossification centers (CEOCs). METHODS: We obtained sagittal 3D dual-echo steady-state with water excitation T2 images of the entire spine in 71 fetuses (gestational ages (GAs), 17-42 weeks). Computed tomography and histological examinations were performed on two fetal specimens (GAs, 21 and 30 weeks) to validate the MR images. The presence/absence of each sacral CEOC was recorded according to the GA. CEOC volume was measured. We analyzed the CEOC position relative to the vertebral column and ilium. RESULTS: The S1, S2, and S3 CEOCs first appeared at 23, 22, and 29 weeks, respectively. The S1 and S2 CEOCs could be detected in all fetuses with GAs of ≥ 30 weeks and ≥ 35 weeks, respectively, while the S3 CEOCs were variably present until term. The percentages of detection of the S1 and S2 CEOCs were significantly greater than that of the S3 CEOCs at each GA. At S1 and S2, the CEOC volume increased exponentially with GA. The relative positions of the S1 and S2 CEOCs, but not the S3 CEOCs, significantly correlated with GA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We have described the timeline of appearance as well as the volume and position of the S1-S3 CEOCs in the fetal spine on postmortem MRI according to GA.
PURPOSE: This postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the fetal spine aimed to describe the timing of appearance, shape, volume, and relative positions of the S1-S3 costal element ossification centers (CEOCs). METHODS: We obtained sagittal 3D dual-echo steady-state with water excitation T2 images of the entire spine in 71 fetuses (gestational ages (GAs), 17-42 weeks). Computed tomography and histological examinations were performed on two fetal specimens (GAs, 21 and 30 weeks) to validate the MR images. The presence/absence of each sacral CEOC was recorded according to the GA. CEOC volume was measured. We analyzed the CEOC position relative to the vertebral column and ilium. RESULTS: The S1, S2, and S3 CEOCs first appeared at 23, 22, and 29 weeks, respectively. The S1 and S2 CEOCs could be detected in all fetuses with GAs of ≥ 30 weeks and ≥ 35 weeks, respectively, while the S3 CEOCs were variably present until term. The percentages of detection of the S1 and S2 CEOCs were significantly greater than that of the S3 CEOCs at each GA. At S1 and S2, the CEOC volume increased exponentially with GA. The relative positions of the S1 and S2 CEOCs, but not the S3 CEOCs, significantly correlated with GA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We have described the timeline of appearance as well as the volume and position of the S1-S3 CEOCs in the fetal spine on postmortem MRI according to GA.
Entities:
Keywords:
Costal element ossification center; Fetal spine; Sacrum