Pediatric Radiology
MRI susceptibility weighted imaging for monitoring vertebral development trajectory in second-third trimester fetuses
Cai Xianyun, Chen Xin, Wang Jing, Wei Xinhong, Liu Wen, Li Yuchao, Hou Ximan, Liang Hudie, Shan Ruiqin, Wang Guangbin
Published 2023-07-10
Cite as Chin J Radiol, 2023, 57(7): 777-783. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112149-20230330-00236
Abstract
ObjectiveTo measure the morphological parameters of the fetal vertebral centrum ossification centers (COC) in the second-third trimester using MRI susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and to explore the growth and development trajectory of the vertebrae.
MethodsFetus in the second-third trimester with normal vertebrae development were prospectively and continuously included in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from December 2015 to December 2021, and the SWI scanning of fetal spine was performed. The following morphometric parameters of the C4, T6, L3, S1 vertebrae COC were measured, including sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, height, cross-sectional area and volume. The linear and nonlinear regression analysis was used to derive the best-fit curve for each parameters and gestational age.
ResultsA total of 112 fetuses were recruited with gestatonal age 21-39 (29.4±3.9) weeks, including 30 cases of C4, 58 cases of T6, 92 cases of L3, 62 cases of S1. Fetal spine in utero with global curvature was kyphosis, presenting two primary curves (thoracic and sacral kyphosis). The morphological parameters sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, height, cross-sectional area and volume of C4 followed the quadratic polynomial rule during 25 to 38 weeks (R2=0.938, 0.943, 0.952, 0.957, 0.982). During 21 to 38 weeks, the sagittal diameter, transverse diameter and height of the T6 followed the exponential growth pattern (R2=0.915, 0.923, 0.849) and the growth of the area and volume followed the quadratic polynomial growth pattern (R2=0.943, 0.961). The L3 followed the quadratic polynomial rule during 21 to 39 weeks (R2=0.910, 0.916, 0.914, 0.942, 0.948) The sagittal diameter, transverse diameter and height of the S1 followed the linear growth pattern (R2=0.905, 0.911, 0.922) and the area and volume followed the quadratic polynomial growth pattern (R2=0.930, 0.964) during 23 to 39 weeks.
ConclusionsThe growth and development of C4, T6, L3 and S1 COC of fetus in the second-third trimester has a good correlation with gestational age. The growth of fetal vertebral COC in the early stage is slow, but with the growth of gestational age, the growth rate of vertebral bodies accelerates.
Key words:
Fetus; Magnetic resonance imaging; Susceptibility weighted imaging; Vertebrae; Ossification center
Contributor Information
Cai Xianyun
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Chen Xin
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Wang Jing
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Wei Xinhong
Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Liu Wen
Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Li Yuchao
Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Hou Ximan
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Liang Hudie
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
Shan Ruiqin
Department of Obstetrics, Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Jinan 250218, China
Wang Guangbin
Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
