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Epiphyseal marrow in infancy: MR imaging.
D Jaramillo1, T Laor, F A Hoffer
1Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Radiology
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Hypointense epiphyseal marrow on T1-weighted MRI can indicate normal red marrow in infants and newborns. This finding is temporary, as marrow signal normalizes with development.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Bone Marrow Imaging
Background:
- Hypointense epiphyseal marrow on T1-weighted MRI is often interpreted as pathological.
- The potential for this finding to represent normal physiological marrow is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether hypointense epiphyseal marrow on T1-weighted MRI can represent normal red marrow in developing ossification centers.
- To correlate imaging findings with histological data in animal models.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 infants without known marrow disease undergoing T1-weighted MRI.
- Comparison of imaging findings between younger and older infants.
- Histological correlation in newborn and 6-week-old rabbits and lambs using T1-weighted imaging.
Main Results:
- Infants with hypointense epiphyseal marrow were significantly younger (3.9 months) than those with hyperintense marrow (9.6 months).
- Newborn animals showed hypointense marrow and red marrow histologically.
- 6-week-old animals exhibited hyperintense marrow and yellow marrow histologically.
Conclusions:
- Hypointense epiphyseal marrow on T1-weighted MRI represents normal red marrow in recently formed ossification centers in newborns.
- This finding is likely transient and normal in human infants, resolving within months as secondary ossification centers develop and marrow converts to yellow marrow.