Xing Yin1, Xin Zhao2, Lin Lu2, Liying Zhang2, Qingna Xing2, Rui Yuan3, Zhijun Niu4, Linlin Zhang5. 1. Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. yinxingsfy@zzu.edu.cn. 2. Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. 3. Department of Ultrasound, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. 5. Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe MR imaging appearances of the fetal lumbar spine in vivo at different gestational ages (GAs). METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We collected MR images and clinical data of 93 fetuses in our hospital. All the MR images were obtained by 3-T MR. All had the mid-sagittal plane of steady state free precession sequence (Trufi) of the lumbar spine, which could show the lumbar vertebra and conus medullaris (CM). Regression analysis was made between GA and heights of lumbar vertebral body ossification center (LVBOC), lengths of LVBOC, and heights of intervertebral gap (IVG). RESULTS: There were good linear correlations between the heights of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), lengths of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), and heights of IVG and GA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We showed the different development of each LVBOC and IVG which caused the difference of the shape of LVBOC and IVG.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe MR imaging appearances of the fetal lumbar spine in vivo at different gestational ages (GAs). METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We collected MR images and clinical data of 93 fetuses in our hospital. All the MR images were obtained by 3-T MR. All had the mid-sagittal plane of steady state free precession sequence (Trufi) of the lumbar spine, which could show the lumbar vertebra and conus medullaris (CM). Regression analysis was made between GA and heights of lumbar vertebral body ossification center (LVBOC), lengths of LVBOC, and heights of intervertebral gap (IVG). RESULTS: There were good linear correlations between the heights of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), lengths of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), and heights of IVG and GA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We showed the different development of each LVBOC and IVG which caused the difference of the shape of LVBOC and IVG.