Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40739216›Full record

ArticleBMC medical imaging2025

MRI-based quantification of primary ossification centers in the lateral and basilar parts of the human fetal occipital bone.

Qinyi Han, Nan Lin, Peng Su, Hui Zhao, Peng Zhao, Mimi Tian, Lianjie Cheng, Lianxiang Xiao, Xiangtao Lin

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Article in BMC medical imaging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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9 authors.

Qinyi HanDepartment of Hand & Foot and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Nan LinDepartment of Medical Imaging, Shandong Public Health Clinical Center, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Peng SuDepartment of Hand & Foot and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Hui ZhaoDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Peng ZhaoDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Mimi TianDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Lianjie ChengDepartment of Hand & Foot and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Lianxiang XiaoDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, China.
Xiangtao LinDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. linxt616@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe ossification of the occipital bone begins in the basilar part and progresses anteriorly, which is vital for the normal development of both the cranial and facial skeleton. Abnormal ossification of the occipital bone is associated with congenital anomalies such as Chiari malformation and anencephaly. Despite this, morphometric data on the ossification centers of the occipital bone, particularly in the lateral and basilar parts, remain limited. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide a detailed morphometric analysis of the primary ossification centers in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in human fetuses using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

methodsA total of 40 human fetuses (24 males and 16 females) aged 17 to 42 weeks of gestation were included in the study. These specimens were collected from spontaneous miscarriages and preterm deliveries, with all ethical standards followed. High-resolution MRI imaging was performed using a Siemens Magnetom Prisma 3T MRI scanner. 3D volumetric data of the ossification centers in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone were acquired and analyzed using 3D Slicer software. Linear, planar, and volumetric parameters, including 3D maximum diameter, projection surface area, and volume, were measured for both parts of the occipital bone. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 23 software, with regression analyses to model growth dynamics.

resultsThe analysis revealed that the ossification centers of both the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone exhibited proportional growth relative to gestational age, with significant correlations between age and the measured parameters. The mean 3D maximum diameters, projection surface areas, and volumes showed consistent growth patterns, with no significant differences based on sex or laterality. The developmental dynamics were best described by linear regression models, with high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.75) for all parameters.

conclusionThis study provides normative morphometric data for the primary ossification centers of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in human fetuses, offering valuable insights into the normal growth patterns of these structures. The findings contribute to the understanding of cranial base development and provide a reference framework for the early detection of congenital cranial anomalies. The use of MRI in fetal imaging proves to be a reliable and non-invasive method for studying fetal skeletal development. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Magnetic Resonance ImagingOccipital BoneOsteogenesisFemaleFetusGestational AgeHumansImaging, Three-DimensionalMalePregnancyBasilar partsFetusLateral partsMRIOccipital bone

Identifiers

PMID40739216
PMCPMC12312232

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.