Author/Authors :
Shimada, Yoshikazu JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Shimao, Daisuke JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Kobayashi, Jiro JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Nakahori, Chikako JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Shimada, Mariko JFA Academy FUKUSHIMA, Fukushima, Japan , Fujimoto, Hiroo JFA Academy FUKUSHIMA, Fukushima, Japan , Misawa, Tatsuya JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Kato, Haruyasu JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan , Dohi, Michiko JFA Medical Center, Fukushima, Japan
Abstract :
Purpose: T1WI (T1 weighted image) was acquired in order to grade bone
fusion following the studies by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football
Associations). Research using images other than T1WI has not been reported.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the grade of epiphyseal fusion by T2*
weighted images (T2*WI) and to investigate new findings on T2*WI as
compared with T1WI.
Methods: A total of 87 subjects, all junior football players between the ages of
12 and 17 years old, were examined. T1 and T2* WI were obtained using a
1.2T Open type MR system. The T1WI and T2*WI were rated twice randomly
by four radiologists using the FIFA grading system.
Results: The intra-rater reliability for grading was higher in T1WI (The
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC)=0.949-0.985) than in T2*WI
(ICC=0.917-0.943). The inter-rater reliability for grading was also higher in
T1WI (ICC=0.923) than in T2*WI (ICC=0.867).
Conclusions: This research showed that T1WI is a better sequence than
T2*WI to evaluate bone fusion following FIFA protocol. It was speculated that
the reason for this is that T1WI has higher tissue contrast resolution and
enables clearer images of the epiphyseal fusion than T2*WI and the grading
system by T1WI was not suitable for T2*WI.
Keywords :
T2* Weighted Image , Bone Age , Age Determination , Open MRI , Wrist MRI
