Magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging of the adolescent rabbit growth plate of the knee

The hindlimbs of female rabbits aged 16, 20, and 24 weeks were studied in a 9.4T MRI scanner to assess the ability of MRI-DTI to evaluate growth plate morphology and activity compared with that of histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography (μCT) in rabbits. The MRI sequences included a multi-gradient echo 3D sequence and DTI in 14 directions (b-value= 984 s/mm2). The growth plate height and volume were similar for all modalities at each time point and age. Tract number and volume declined with age; however, tract length did not show any changes. MRI-DTI may be useful for evaluating the growth plates.