European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGRs) are a new technology for the management of early-onset pediatric deformity enabling guided spinal growth by controlling the curvature. These rods contain a rare earth magnet and are contraindicated for MRI. We have investigated the behavior MCGRs to determine whether MRI adversely affects rod properties and to determine the extent of image distortion. ⋯ This study has demonstrated that there are no detrimental effects of MRI on the MCGR and imaging of the head and neck phantom can still be interpreted. Further in vivo study is warranted.
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Several studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the lumbar spine in adults have shown a large prevalence of degenerative changes in asymptomatic subjects; however, studies in pediatric patients are scarce. Those studies have suggested a lower rate of degenerative findings in adolescents than in adults, but the actual prevalence of MRI findings in the pediatric population has not yet been determined. We aimed to determine the prevalence of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine of pediatric patients using abdominal and pelvic MRI as the screening tool. ⋯ Incidental findings related to DD are very uncommon at this early age, in contrast to findings described in adults or later in adolescence.