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Gilsanz V, Wren TAL, Ponrartana S, Mora S, Rosen CJ. Sexual Dimorphism and the Origins of Human Spinal Health. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:221-239. [PMID: 29385433 PMCID: PMC5888211 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent observations indicate that the cross-sectional area (CSA) of vertebral bodies is on average 10% smaller in healthy newborn girls than in newborn boys, a striking difference that increases during infancy and puberty and is greatest by the time of sexual and skeletal maturity. The smaller CSA of female vertebrae is associated with greater spinal flexibility and could represent the human adaptation to fetal load in bipedal posture. Unfortunately, it also imparts a mechanical disadvantage that increases stress within the vertebrae for all physical activities. This review summarizes the potential endocrine, genetic, and environmental determinants of vertebral cross-sectional growth and current knowledge of the association between the small female vertebrae and greater risk for a broad array of spinal conditions across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Gilsanz
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027
| | - Tishya A L Wren
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027
| | - Skorn Ponrartana
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027
| | - Stefano Mora
- Laboratory of Pediatric Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Clifford J Rosen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine 04074
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Poorghasamians E, Aggabao PC, Wren TAL, Ponrartana S, Gilsanz V. Vertebral cross-sectional growth: A predictor of vertebral wedging in the immature skeleton. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0190225. [PMID: 29281728 PMCID: PMC5745000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of vertebral wedging, a key structural characteristic of spinal curvatures, has recently been found to be negatively related to vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA). The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the relation between vertebral cross-sectional growth and vertebral wedging progression within the immature lumbar spine. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we analyzed the potential association between increases in lumbar vertebral CSA and changes in L5 vertebral wedging in 27 healthy adolescent girls (ages 9–13 years) twice within a two-year period. Vertebral CSA growth was negatively associated with changes in posteroanterior vertebral wedging (r = -0.61; p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that this relation was independent of gains in age, height, and weight. When compared to the 14 girls whose vertebral wedging progressed, the 13 subjects whose vertebral wedging decreased had significantly greater vertebral cross-sectional growth (0.39 ± 0.25 vs. 0.75 ± 0.23 cm2; p = 0.001); in contrast, there were no significant differences in increases in age, height, or weight between the two groups. Changes in posteroanterior vertebral wedging and the degree of lumbar lordosis (LL) positively correlated (r = 0.56, p = 0.002)—an association that persisted even after adjusting for gains in age, height, and weight. We concluded that in the immature skeleton, vertebral cross-sectional growth is an important determinant of the plasticity of the vertebral body; regression of L5 vertebral wedging is associated with greater lumbar vertebral cross-sectional growth, while progression is the consequence of lesser cross-sectional growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ervin Poorghasamians
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Patricia C. Aggabao
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Tishya A. L. Wren
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Skorn Ponrartana
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Vicente Gilsanz
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Pediatric oncology patients are at risk for the development of numerous skeletal complications, and radiologic studies are important in the identification and evaluation of these conditions. Methotrexate osteopathy manifests as osteopenia, dense provisional zones of calcification, pathologic fractures, and sharply outlined epiphyses. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy may occur with nasopharyngeal carcinoma or tumors of the lungs or pleura and manifests as cortical thickening, lamellar periosteal new bone formation, and soft-tissue swelling. Biomechanical abnormalities are often seen at bone scintigraphy in patients who have undergone surgery for bone tumors. Growth plate injury may manifest as marked deformity, sclerotic metaphyseal bands, metaphyseal fraying, and longitudinal striations. Radiation "osteitis" is seen as an initial decrease in bone density with subsequent development of a mixed radiolucent and sclerotic appearance. Ischemic necrosis of the femoral heads is best demonstrated at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and has low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and a high-signal-intensity rim on T2-weighted images. Bone infarcts are seen as well-demarcated, often ring-shaped areas of decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images and as areas of increased signal intensity on short-inversion-time inversion recovery images. Radiographic signs of infection include bone destruction, periosteal new bone formation, and sclerotic changes. Short-inversion-time inversion recovery MR imaging is particularly useful in evaluating posttherapy changes in bone marrow. Osteochondroma may demonstrate a cartilaginous cap at MR imaging, whereas the most important finding in radiation-induced sarcoma is a soft-tissue mass. Radiologists who work with children with cancer need to be familiar with these complications and their imaging appearances.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Roebuck
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
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