Magnetic resonance-guided growth plate bone bridge resection at 0.23 Tesla: report of a novel technique.
BACKGROUND
Growth plate or physeal cartilage trauma may result in delayed or immediate failure of growth due to bone bridge formation at the insult site. With computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the role of imaging has expanded from diagnosis to treatment planning and therapy guidance.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique for MR-guided growth plate bone bridge resection and to evaluate feasibility of the procedure.


METHODS
Three consecutive patients with growth plate bone bridges were treated surgically under MR guidance. All bridges were detected with prior MRI and radiographs. All patients were referred to procedure due to growth plate bridge associated growth anomaly and pertaining clinical symptoms. The effect of the treatment was evaluated after 48 months with a clinical follow-up.


RESULTS
All bridges were successfully detected, marked, and removed under MRI guidance. All patients had relief from their symptoms. Two patients had lasting results from the operation with no further operative treatment needed or scheduled at 48 months from primary treatment. There was one clinical failure, with the patient requiring repeated osteotomies.


CONCLUSIONS
We have successfully implemented a novel therapy for growth plate bridge resection.
Blanco Sequeiros
R
R
Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Division, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Vähäsarja
V
V
Ojala
R
R
D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications; D010027:Osteotomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome