Evaluating MRI as a technique for visualizing the neurocentral junction.
METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neurocentral junction (NCJ) was correlated with gross anatomic and histologic sections acquired at the same position.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the composition of the MRI of the NCJ and to explore the long-standing discrepancy between the ages of closure of the NCJ as determined by anatomic and imaging studies.


BACKGROUND
Disparate growth at the site of the NCJ has been implicated as a potential cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis since the early 1900s. Although anatomic studies have refuted this theory by maintaining that the NCJ closes before the age of 10 years, recent MRI studies have suggested that the NCJ remains open until adolescence.


METHODS
One hundred fourteen porcine NCJs in various stages of development were visualized using MRI. Gross anatomic and histologic sections were acquired at the same position as MRI for correlation.


RESULTS
The presence or absence of NCJ cartilage was represented by the presence or absence of a line on MRI. However, the NCJ image overestimated the width of the NCJ cartilage in the anteroposterior direction during development. As the NCJ underwent the process of closure, the NCJ image underestimated the extent of closure in the medial-lateral direction.


CONCLUSIONS
Although MRI underestimated the extent of NCJ closure, MRI accurately showed whether cartilage was present or absent at the NCJ site. MRI determination of the age of NCJ closure appears reliable, and further exploration of the asymmetric growth hypothesis is required.
Rajwani
Talib
T
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Bagnall
Keith M
KM
Lambert
Robert
R
Huang
Eric M
EM
Secretan
Charles
C
Moreau
Marc
M
Mahood
James
J
Raso
V James
VJ
Bhargava
Ravi
R
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards; D013552:Swine; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*