title: Assessment of pharmacokinetics for microvessel proliferation by DCE-MRI for early detection of physeal bone bridge formation in an animal model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bone bridge formation occurs after physeal lesions and can lead to growth arrest if not reversed. Previous investigations on the underlying mechanisms of this formation used histological methods. Therefore, this study aimed to apply a minimally invasive method using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in functional parameters related to the microvessel system were assessed in a longitudinal study of a cohort of an animal model applying a reference region model. The development of morphology of the injured physis was investigated with 3D high-resolution MRI. To acquire complementary information for MRI-related findings qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical data were acquired for a second cohort of the animal model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evaluation of the pharmacokinetic parameters showed a first rise of the transfer coefficient 7 days post-lesion and a maximum 42 days after operation. The analysis of the complementary data showed a connection of the first rise to microvessel proliferation while the maximum value was linked to bone remodeling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pharmacokinetic analysis of DCE-MRI provides information on a proliferation of microvessels during the healing process as a sign for bone bridge formation. Thereby, DCE-MRI could identify details, which up to now required analyses of highly invasive methods.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010, Graz, Austria.|BioTechMed, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 3, 8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neumayer
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amerstorfer
authors.affiliation: BioTechMed, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 3, 8010, Graz, Austria.|Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diwoky
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lindtner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Clinical Center Klagenfurt, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wadl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Basel, Pestalozzistraße 22, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scheurer
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5, 8036, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Annelie-Martina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.affiliation: BioTechMed, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 3, 8010, Graz, Austria. rudolf.stollberger@tugraz.at.|Institute of Medical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 16/III, 8010, Graz, Austria. rudolf.stollberger@tugraz.at.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stollberger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C090600:gadobutrol; D005682:Gadolinium
keywords: Animal model; Contrast agents; Physis