Diffusion MRI and Growth Plate Injuries: Pilot Study

• Conditions: Fracture

• Registration Number: NCT01774539
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

Children who suffer fractures to the growth plates (physes) of their bones are at risk for premature growth arrest which can lead to long term complications. There is currently no technique to predict who is at risk of growth arrest following a physeal injury. The investigators aim to determine if diffusion MRI (an imaging method to analyze tissue properties) can effectively pick up differences between a healthy growth plate and an injured one. This would allow orthopaedics surgeons to predict which injuries are at a higher risk of growth arrest, so earlier interventions can be done in the orthopaedic clinic.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if diffusion MRI can be used for tissue characterization in childhood and adolescent growth plate injuries, and to get a better understanding of the physiologic disturbance of an injured physis

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-01-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-01-22
• Study First Posted: 2013-01-24
• Study Start: 2014-11
• Status Verified: 2016-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-06-10
• Last Update Posted: 2016-06-13
• Primary Completion: 2017-02
• Study Completion: 2017-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

• Salter-Harris Type II, III, or IV fracture through the distal radius
• Growth plates are open
• Ages 8-12
• Able to consent in English

Exclusion Criteria

• All fractures not sustained to distal radius
• SH Type I or V fracture
• Injury to contralateral limb
• Previous injury to distal radius
• Diseases known to alter bone healing or growth]
• Contraindications to undergoing an MRI scan

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Tissue characterization of growth plate using diffusion MRI	4-6 weeks following injury	Diffusion MRI scan of injured and contralateral (control) physis.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

British Columbia Children's Hospital; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada