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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements and morphometric evaluation of the cranium in age-matched children
Hanife Gülden Düzkalır1, Elif Söbü2, Özge Adıgüzel Karaoysal1
1Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Insights
Diffusion-weighted imaging magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in bone marrow can help detect central precocious puberty (CPP) early. This quantitative marker may identify CPP before sphenooccipital synchondrosis changes appear.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Radiology
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a common pediatric endocrine referral.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for ruling out intracranial pathologies in CPP.
- Limited data exists on bone marrow abnormalities via MRI in CPP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in cranial bone marrow using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in girls with CPP.
- To assess the status of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis (SOS) in girls with CPP.
- To correlate DWI-ADC values with SOS status in CPP.
Main Methods:
- MRI data from 146 girls (79 CPP, 67 controls), aged 6-9 years, were analyzed.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in the clivus, parietal bone, and occipital protuberance.
- Anthropometric data and hormone levels (FSH, LH, oestradiol) were recorded and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Girls with CPP exhibited significantly lower bone marrow ADC values compared to healthy controls (p<0.05).
- Specific SOS patterns were observed in a small percentage of the CPP group.
- No significant correlation was found between mean ADC values (parietal, occipital, clivus) and other variables.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI ADC analysis serves as a valuable quantitative radiological marker for early CPP detection.
- ADC values may indicate CPP even before observable changes in the sphenooccipital synchondrosis.
Objectives:
Central precocious puberty (CPP) is one of the common reasons for referral to pediatric endocrinology. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to rule out intracranial pathologies. However, there is insufficient information in the literature about bone marrow abnormalities on MRI in CPP cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from bone marrow diffusion weight images (DWI) of cranial bone structures and the status of sphenooccipital synchondrosis (SOS) in CPP.
Methods:
MRI data from 6-to 9-year-old girls with CPP and a healthy control group were evaluated. Anthropometric data, FSH, LH, and oestradiol tests were recorded, and the relationship between SOS status, DWI-ADC values of the clivus, parietal bone, and occipital protuberance were compared.
Results:
The study included 146 girls, 79 CPP, and 67 healthy aged 6-9 years (median: 8 (2)). The diagnosis age was 8.30 ± 0.8 years. The ADC values were significantly lower on CPP than normal controls (p=<0.05). In the CPP group, pattern 1 was found at 2 % (n=2), pattern 2 at 3.5 % (n=3), and pattern 3 at 3.5 % (n=3) in clivus sphenooccipital synchondrosis. There was no correlation between the mean parietal, occipital, and clivus ADC values and any variable (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
DWI-MRI ADC analysis can be used as a quantitative radiological marker for early detection of CPP, even before changes in sphenooccipital synchondrosis.
