Measurement of Paediatric Skeletal Age on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measurement of Paediatric Skeletal Age on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
IRAS ID
122155
Contact name
CE Hutchinson
Contact email
Research summary
Disorders of growth and puberty are a significant public health problem, responsible for the majority of paediatric endocrinology referrals and a significant number of consultations with general practitioners. Correlation of skeletal age (SA), chronological age (CA) and clinical findings is key to the diagnosis and management of many endocrine conditions in children and young adults, and is also used for monitoring the response to medical therapy and determining growth potential of children. These children often undergo serial x-rays during their period of treatment. This study will assess the potential for measuring SA or ‘bone-age’ of a child using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare it with the standard method of performing an x-ray of the hand.
We believe there are many advantages of using MRI instead of x-ray. This includes the lack of x-ray radiation to the child, the ability to obtain 3D rather than 2D images and the potential for more detailed assessment of the soft tissues of the hand (only the bones are visible on x-ray whereas MRI can show cartilage, ligaments and muscles). MRI segmentation techniques involve a software program delineating the peripheral margins of a 3D volume such as a bone in the hand; thus allowing the development and evaluation of new metrics such as bone volume, cartilage volume and bone to cartilage ratio. In addition, segmentation software has the potential to automate SA assessment, potentially reducing radiologist time and workload.
This project has the potential to establish MRI as the preferred technique for SA estimation within 3 years. This would also allow more frequent monitoring of children with growth disorders, without the risks associated with radiation. The establishment of this new method for measuring SA may allow it to be used in broader areas of public health research including studies of obesity and nutrition.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0138
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion