Vertebral cross-sectional growth: A predictor of vertebral wedging in the immature skeleton.

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.

Increased Lumbar Lordosis and Smaller Vertebral Cross-Sectional Area Are Associated With Spondylolysis.

Study Design: A cross-sectional comparison of vertebral morphology and lumbar lordosis (LL) in adolescents with and without spondylolysis.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that in addition to LL, vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) is also associated with spondylolysis.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent data indicate that the CSA of the vertebral body is a determinant of LL, which has been shown to be associated with spondylolysis.

Association Between Vertebral Cross-sectional Area and Vertebral Wedging in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

A small vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) imparts a mechanical disadvantage that escalates the risk for vertebral fractures in elderly populations. We examined whether a small vertebral CSA is also associated with a greater degree of vertebral wedging in children. Measurements of vertebral CSA, lumbar lordosis (LL) or thoracic scoliosis angle, and vertebral wedging were obtained in 100 healthy adolescents (50 boys and 50 girls) and 25 girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using magnetic resonance imaging.

Biomechanical Modeling of Spine Flexibility and Its Relationship to Spinal Range of Motion and Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objective: To examine the relationships between spine morphology, spine flexibility, and idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Girls have a higher incidence of clinically significant scoliosis than boys, along with smaller vertebrae and greater flexibility.

Association between vertebral cross-sectional area and lumbar lordosis angle in adolescents.

Lumbar lordosis (LL) is more prominent in women than in men, but the mechanisms responsible for this discrepancy are poorly defined. A recent study indicates that newborn girls have smaller vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) when compared to boys-a difference that persists throughout life and is independent of body size. We determined the relations between vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) and LL angle and whether sex differences in lumbar lordosis are related to sex differences in vertebral CSA.

Small vertebral cross-sectional area and tall intervertebral disc in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: When compared to boys, girls have smaller vertebral cross-sectional area, which conveys a greater spinal flexibility, and a higher prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that small vertebral cross-sectional area and tall intervertebral disc height are structural characteristics of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Materials And Methods: Using multiplanar imaging techniques, measures of vertebral cross-sectional area, vertebral height and intervertebral disc height in the lumbar spine were obtained in 35 pairs of girls and 11 pairs of boys with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of the thoracic spine matched for age, height and weight.

Changes in Brown Adipose Tissue and Muscle Development during Infancy.

Objective: To examine the relationship between brown adipose tissue (BAT) and muscle development, two tissues that derive from a common cell lineage, during the first 6 months of postnatal life.

Study Design: Thirty healthy term infants (15 males and females) underwent whole-body magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Measurements of BAT in the supraclavicular area as well as measures of trunk musculature and subcutaneous adiposity were obtained at birth and at 6 months of age.

Radiographic depiction of intra-abdominal fat in newborns: a marker of infants born to diabetic mothers.

Objective: To examine whether the presence of intra-abdominal fat (IAF) in newborns is diagnostic of infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs), and determine whether IAF is merely the consequence of increased body size.

Study Design: Abdominal radiographs of 277 neonates >34 weeks gestational age (147 male and 130 female) were reviewed to determine the presence of IAF. Unpaired t-test and regression analyses were used to examine the influence of gestational age, birth weight, birth length and maternal diabetes on the prevalence and thickness of IAF.

Sexual Dimorphism in Newborn Vertebrae and Its Potential Implications.

Objective: To examine whether the sex-related differences in vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) found in children and at the timing of peak bone mass-a major determinant of osteoporosis and future fracture risk-are also present at birth.

Study Design: Vertebral CSA, vertebral height, and intervertebral disc height were measured using magnetic resonance imaging in 70 healthy full-term newborns (35 males and 35 females). The length and CSA of the humerus, musculature, and adiposity were measured as well.

Presence of brown adipose tissue in an adolescent with severe primary hypothyroidism.

Context: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat during adaptive thermogenesis in response to cold temperature. Thyroid hormone (TH) receptors, type 2 deiodinase, and TSH receptors are present on brown adipocytes, indicating that the thyroid axis regulates BAT. It is unknown whether absent TH in humans would down-regulate development of BAT and its thermogenic function.

Brown adipose tissue in the buccal fat pad during infancy.

Background: The buccal fat pad (BFP) is an encapsulated mass of adipose tissue thought to enhance the sucking capabilities of the masticatory muscles during infancy. To date, no conclusive evidence has been provided as to the composition of the BFP in early postnatal life.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the BFP of neonates and infants is primarily composed of white adipose tissue (WAT) or brown adipose tissue (BAT).

Comparison of brown and white adipose tissues in infants and children with chemical-shift-encoded water-fat MRI.

Purpose: To compare fat-signal fractions (FFs) and T2* values between brown (BAT) and white (WAT) adipose tissue located within the supraclavicular fossa and subcutaneous depots, respectively.

Materials And Methods: Twelve infants and 39 children were studied. Children were divided into lean and overweight/obese subgroups.

Brown adipose tissue and its relationship to bone structure in pediatric patients.

Context: Emerging evidence suggests a possible link between brown adipose tissue (BAT) and bone metabolism.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between BAT and bone cross-sectional dimensions in children and adolescents.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.