Developmental anatomy study of the morphological characteristics of the sacral neurocentral synchondrosis in children
Lei Li1, Feng Zhen Zhang2, Yu Ying Yi1
1Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
Insights
Sacral Neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) closure in children aged 1-5 follows an S3 < S2 < S1 pattern. This study reveals rapid ossification with an "early peak-rapid closure" developmental pattern.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Developmental Biology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) is crucial for spinal development.
- Understanding sacral NCS ossification patterns in early childhood is essential for assessing spinal growth and identifying potential abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes and closure patterns of sacral Neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) in children aged 1 to 5 years.
- To elucidate the age-related growth and developmental dynamics of the sacral spine NCS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 100 normal pelvic CT scans from children aged 1-5 years.
- Utilized Mimics 21.0 software for 3D reconstruction and measurement of sacral NCS morphological indices.
- Statistical analysis was performed on collected data.
Main Results:
- Sacral NCS closure sequence identified as S3 (earliest) < S2 < S1 (latest).
- S3 showed ~75% closure by age 1, S2 reached ~80% by age 2, and S1 began closure around age 3.
- Morphological indicators (sagittal diameter, perimeter, area) of S1 peaked around age 2, while S2 and S3 indicators decreased continuously, reaching lowest values by age 2.
Conclusions:
- Sacral NCS closure follows a distinct temporal order: S3 < S2 < S1.
- Sacral NCS exhibits rapid, segmental ossification from 1-5 years, characterized by an 'early peak-rapid closure' developmental trajectory.
- Findings provide normative data for sacral NCS development in young children.
Objective:
To study changes in the morphological indicators of sacral Neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) in normal children aged 1-5, explore the growth and development patterns of sacral spine NCS with age.
Methods:
100 normal pelvic CT images of 1-5-year-old children were collected and divided into 5 groups of 20 cases each. The images in DICOM format were imported into Mimics 21.0 software. The morphological indices of sacral NCS were measured using the Measurements toolbar, and statistical analysis was conducted.
Results:
The closure of NCS in the sacral vertebra S1-3 shows a clear pattern. S3 closes earliest (75% closure rate in the Age 1 group, ≥ 95% in the Age 2 group), S2 closes next and rapidly (15% in the Age 1 group, rising to 80% in the Age 2 group), and S1 closes last (starting closure in the Age 3 group, reaching 55% in the Age 5 group). In the Age 1-5 groups, the sagittal diameter, perimeter, and area of NCS-S1 first increase and then gradually decrease, peaking in the Age 2 group; the transverse diameter increases slowly until the Age 4 group and then decreases. The morphological indicators of NCS for S2 and S3 continuously decrease, reaching the lowest values by the Age 2 group.
Conclusion:
The closure time of the sacral NCS follows the order S3 < S2 < S1. In children aged 1-5 years, sacral NCS undergoes segmental rapid ossification, with ossification progressing from the periphery toward the center, exhibiting a developmental pattern characterized by "early peak-rapid closure."
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