Digital image analysis of ossification centers in the axial dens and body in the human fetus

Mariusz Baumgart,Mariusz Baumgart,Maria Dąbrowska,Maria Dąbrowska,Bogdan Małkowski,Bogdan Małkowski,Magdalena Grzonkowska,Marcin Wiśniewski,Marcin Wiśniewski,Michał Szpinda,Mateusz Badura,Mateusz Badura

doi:10.1007/s00276-016-1679-9

Mariusz Baumgart, Mariusz Baumgart + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-016-1679-9

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Abstract

PurposesThe detailed understanding of the anatomy and timing of ossification centers is indispensable in both determining the fetal stage and maturity and for detecting congenital disorders. This study was performed to quantitatively examine the odontoid and body ossification centers in the axis with respect to their linear, planar and volumetric parameters.MethodsUsing the methods of CT, digital image analysis and statistics, the size of the odontoid and body ossification centers in the axis in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30 weeks was studied.ResultsWith no sex difference, the best fit growth dynamics for odontoid and body ossification centers of the axis were, respectively, as follows: for transverse diameter y = −10.752 + 4.276 × ln(age) ± 0.335 and y = −10.578 + 4.265 × ln(age) ± 0.338, for sagittal diameter y = −4.329 + 2.010 × ln(age) ± 0.182 and y = −3.934 + 1.930 × ln(age) ± 0.182, for cross-sectional area y = −7.102 + 0.520 × age ± 0.724 and y = −7.002 + 0.521 × age ± 0.726, and for volume y = −37.021 + 14.014 × ln(age) ± 1.091 and y = −37.425 + 14.197 × ln(age) ± 1.109.ConclusionsWith no sex differences, the odontoid and body ossification centers of the axis grow logarithmically in transverse and sagittal diameters, and in volume, while proportionately in cross-sectional area. Our specific-age reference data for the odontoid and body ossification centers of the axis may be relevant for determining the fetal stage and maturity and for in utero three-dimensional sonographic detecting segmentation anomalies of the axis.

Highlights

The detailed understanding of the morphology and timing of ossification centers is indispensable in the prenatal assessment, in both determining the fetal stage and maturity and for detecting segmentation anomalies of the fetal spine [12, 21, 25, 27, 28]
Using the methods of CT, digital image analysis and statistics, the size of the odontoid and body ossification centers in the axis in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30 weeks was studied
Our specific-age reference data for the odontoid and body ossification centers of the axis may be relevant for determining the fetal stage and maturity and for in utero three-dimensional sonographic detecting segmentation anomalies of the axis

Summary

Introduction

The detailed understanding of the morphology and timing of ossification centers is indispensable in the prenatal assessment, in both determining the fetal stage and maturity and for detecting segmentation anomalies of the fetal spine [12, 21, 25, 27, 28]. The process of spine ossification had primarily been elucidated due to histological and radiographic methods, and as modern diagnostic methods were developing, two- and three-dimensional ultrasound and computed tomography were consecutively engaged [7, 12, 26]. With the exception of coccygeal vertebrae, there are three ossification centers per a vertebra: one in its body and one in either neural arch [1,2,3, 12, 21]. The first vertebral body ossification centers occur in the arches of upper cervical vertebrae, as early as at week 8 in the axis, and progress caudad [6]. The first vertebral body ossification centers occur at week 10 in lower thoracic vertebrae and the first lumbar vertebra, from which the process continues both cephalad and caudad [20].

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