Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
A Rat Tibial Growth Plate Injury Model to Characterize Repair Mechanisms and Evaluate Growth Plate Regeneration Strategies
Published on: July 4, 2017
Association of quantitative growth plate uptake parameters on bone scintigraphy with growth velocity in children
Ki Jin Jung1, Sun-Pyo Hong2, Ik Dong Yoo2
1Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Insights
Quantitative bone scintigraphy parameters correlate with children's growth velocity. These uptake measurements may predict growth, aiding in pediatric assessments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric imaging
- Nuclear medicine
- Skeletal growth assessment
Background:
- Bone scintigraphy is used in pediatric imaging.
- Assessing skeletal growth velocity is crucial for monitoring child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between quantitative growth plate uptake parameters from bone scintigraphy and children's growth velocity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 30 pediatric patients (ages 3-15).
- Calculation of growth plate uptake to diaphyseal uptake ratios (GPmax/D, GPmean/D) from planar bone scintigraphy.
- Correlation and regression analyses with age and growth velocity.
Main Results:
- Anterior GPmax/D showed the highest correlation with growth velocity (r=0.409, P=0.034).
- Anterior GPmax/D also negatively correlated with age (r=-0.373, P=0.042).
- Multiple regression models including left GPmean/D (R2=0.786) and anterior GPmax/D (R2=0.734) predicted growth velocity.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative growth plate uptake parameters on distal femur bone scintigraphy are significantly associated with growth velocity.
- Bone scintigraphy uptake parameters show potential as predictive markers for pediatric growth.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between quantitative growth plate uptake parameters in bone scintigraphy and growth velocity among children.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 pediatric patients (21 male and nine female; age range, 3-15 years) who underwent planar bone scintigraphy. Ratios of maximum growth plate uptake to mean diaphyseal uptake (GP max /D) and mean growth plate uptake to mean diaphyseal uptake (GP mean /D) were calculated for both femurs on anterior and posterior bone scintigraphy images. A total of eight GP max /D parameters and eight GP mean /D parameters were measured. The relationships of growth plate uptake parameters with age and growth velocity (cm/year) were assessed.
Results:
Correlation analysis with growth velocity revealed that the anterior GP max /D (numerical mean of GP max /D between the right and left femurs on an anterior image) exhibited the highest correlation coefficient (0.409) among the bone scintigraphy parameters ( P = 0.034). The anterior GP max /D also demonstrated a significant negative correlation with age ( P = 0.042, correlation coefficient: -0.373). In a multiple regression analysis to predict growth velocity with adjusting for age and sex, the model that included left GP mean /D (geometric mean of GP mean /D between anterior and posterior images of the left femur) yielded the highest adjusted R2 value (0.786), followed by anterior GP max /D (0.734).
Conclusion:
Quantitative growth plate uptake parameters on the distal femur in bone scintigraphy are significantly associated with growth velocity. These findings suggest that growth plate uptake in bone scintigraphy could potentially serve as a predictive marker of growth in children.
![Quantitative [18F]-Naf-PET-MRI Analysis for the Evaluation of Dynamic Bone Turnover in a Patient with Facetogenic Low Back Pain](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F58491.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...