Physeal injuries can result in premature physeal fusion. MR imaging is useful for mapping these bony physeal bridges. Resection of the bony bridge does not reliably restore normal physeal function. We have observed subtle loss of the normal low signal intensity line of the zone of provisional calcification (ZPC) extending beyond areas of physeal bar formation in some patients with prior growth plate fractures. This loss is a marker of disrupted endochondral ossification and likely reflects a more extensive region of physeal damage that might be used to better predict treatment outcomes. Given the subjectivity of visual ZPC assessment, we sought to develop a quantitative 3D map of the periphyseal area of the distal radius using a high resolution 3D fast/turbo spin echo sequence. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2019 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2019

Authors: Brahee Deborah, Chan Andrea, Emery Kathleen, Cornwall Roger, Maloney Thomas

Keywords: Physis, MRI, Imaging

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), a complex mixture of particulate matter, metals, elemental and organic carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other constituents, is strongly associated with cardiopulmonary health effects. Evidence suggests the developing brain may also be a target organ for these particles due to translocation either from the respiratory system or through the olfactory nerve. Using an established pediatric epidemiological cohort with extensive longitudinal exposure assessment since infancy, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to TRAP during critical windows of brain development is significantly associated with changes in brain structure and organization. Our imaging study design targeted recruitment of participants from the cohort with the highest and lowest quartiles of exposure at time of birth. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2017 Annual Meeting & Categorical Course , 2017

Authors: Cecil Kim, Ryan Patrick, Beckwith Travis, Altaye Mekibib, Severs Rachel, Wolfe Christopher, Percy Zana, Maloney Thomas, Yolton Kimberly, Lemasters Grace

Keywords: brain, air pollution, diffusion