title: Experimental epiphysiodesis: magnetic resonance imaging evaluation with histopathologic correlation.
abstract: We performed an experimental epiphysiodesis on the tibia in 16 immature New Zealand white rabbits. The purpose was to study the process of trauma-induced growth plate closure. The animals were killed at weekly intervals over 8 weeks. We correlated the histological findings with serial magnetic resonance images. The undamaged, central part of the growth plate became histologically abnormal within 1 week. Mature bone bridge formation in the area of the epiphysiodesis was seen after 3 to 4 weeks. The study suggests that growth arrest starts before the bone bridge formation. Factors regulating cartilage growth may also play a role.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic Medical University of Lodz, Poland. syndermarek@netscape.net
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Synder
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Harcke
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Conard
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bowen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000601:surgery; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000473:pathology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*