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MR, CT, and Plain Film Imaging of the Developing Skull Base in Fetal Specimens

MR, CT, and Plain Film Imaging of the Developing Skull Base in Fetal Specimens This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nemzek, W. R. Articles by Seibert, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nemzek, W. R. Articles by Seibert, J. A. Hotlight (NEW!) What's Hotlight? American Journal of Neuroradiology 21:1699-1706 (10 2000) © 2000 American Society of Neuroradiology ARTICLE MR, CT, and Plain Film Imaging of the Developing Skull Base in Fetal Specimens William R. Nemzek ,a , Hilary A. Brodie a , Stephen T. Hecht a , Brian W. Chong a , Catherine J. Babcook a and J. Anthony Seibert a a From the Departments of Radiology (W.R.N., S.T.H., J.A.S.) and Otolaryngology (H.A.B.), University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento; and the Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (B.W.C., C.J.B.). BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The developing fetal skull base has previously been studied via dissection and low-resolution CT. Most of the central skull base develops from endochondral ossification through an intermediary chondrocranium. We traced the development of the normal fetal skull base by using plain radiography, MR imaging, and CT. METHODS: Twenty-nine formalin-fixed fetal specimens ranging from 9 to 24 weeks' gestational age were examined with mammographic plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging. Skull base development and ossification were assessed. RESULTS: The postsphenoid cartilages enclose the pituitary and fuse to form the basisphenoid, from which the sella turcica and the posterior body of the sphenoid bone originate. The presphenoid cartilages will form the anterior body of the sphenoid bone. Portions of the presphenoid cartilage give rise to the mesethmoid cartilage, which forms the central portion of the anterior skull base. Ossification begins in the occipital bone (12 weeks) and progresses anteriorly. The postsphenoid (14 weeks) and then the presphenoid portion (17 weeks) of the sphenoid bone ossify. Ossification is seen laterally (16 weeks) in the orbitosphenoid, which contributes to the lesser wing of the sphenoid, and the alisphenoid (15 weeks), which forms the greater wing. CONCLUSION: MR imaging can show early progressive ossification of the cartilaginous skull base and its relation to intracranial structures. The study of fetal developmental anatomy may lead to a better understanding of abnormalities of the skull base. This article has been cited by other articles: J. C. Bertozzi, C. A. Rojas, and C. R. Martinez Evaluation of the Pediatric Craniocervical Junction on MDCT Am. J. Roentgenol., January 1, 2009; 192(1): 26 - 31. Abstract Full Text PDF J. Short, A. M. McKinney, L. T. Lucato, M. Teksam, and C. L. Truwit Transalar Encephalocele Associated with Wegener Granulomatosis and Meningeal Enhancement: Case Report AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., August 1, 2005; 26(7): 1873 - 1875. Abstract Full Text PDF Home Subscribe Author Instructions Submit Online Search the AJNR Archives Feedback Help Copyright © 2010 by the American Society of Neuroradiology. Print ISSN: 0195-6108 Online ISSN: 1936-959X http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Neuroradiology American Journal of Neuroradiology

MR, CT, and Plain Film Imaging of the Developing Skull Base in Fetal Specimens

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Publisher
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 by the American Society of Neuroradiology.
ISSN
0195-6108
eISSN
1936-959X
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nemzek, W. R. Articles by Seibert, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nemzek, W. R. Articles by Seibert, J. A. Hotlight (NEW!) What's Hotlight? American Journal of Neuroradiology 21:1699-1706 (10 2000) © 2000 American Society of Neuroradiology ARTICLE MR, CT, and Plain Film Imaging of the Developing Skull Base in Fetal Specimens William R. Nemzek ,a , Hilary A. Brodie a , Stephen T. Hecht a , Brian W. Chong a , Catherine J. Babcook a and J. Anthony Seibert a a From the Departments of Radiology (W.R.N., S.T.H., J.A.S.) and Otolaryngology (H.A.B.), University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento; and the Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (B.W.C., C.J.B.). BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The developing fetal skull base has previously been studied via dissection and low-resolution CT. Most of the central skull base develops from endochondral ossification through an intermediary chondrocranium. We traced the development of the normal fetal skull base by using plain radiography, MR imaging, and CT. METHODS: Twenty-nine formalin-fixed fetal specimens ranging from 9 to 24 weeks' gestational age were examined with mammographic plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging. Skull base development and ossification were assessed. RESULTS: The postsphenoid cartilages enclose the pituitary and fuse to form the basisphenoid, from which the sella turcica and the posterior body of the sphenoid bone originate. The presphenoid cartilages will form the anterior body of the sphenoid bone. Portions of the presphenoid cartilage give rise to the mesethmoid cartilage, which forms the central portion of the anterior skull base. Ossification begins in the occipital bone (12 weeks) and progresses anteriorly. The postsphenoid (14 weeks) and then the presphenoid portion (17 weeks) of the sphenoid bone ossify. Ossification is seen laterally (16 weeks) in the orbitosphenoid, which contributes to the lesser wing of the sphenoid, and the alisphenoid (15 weeks), which forms the greater wing. CONCLUSION: MR imaging can show early progressive ossification of the cartilaginous skull base and its relation to intracranial structures. The study of fetal developmental anatomy may lead to a better understanding of abnormalities of the skull base. This article has been cited by other articles: J. C. Bertozzi, C. A. Rojas, and C. R. Martinez Evaluation of the Pediatric Craniocervical Junction on MDCT Am. J. Roentgenol., January 1, 2009; 192(1): 26 - 31. Abstract Full Text PDF J. Short, A. M. McKinney, L. T. Lucato, M. Teksam, and C. L. Truwit Transalar Encephalocele Associated with Wegener Granulomatosis and Meningeal Enhancement: Case Report AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., August 1, 2005; 26(7): 1873 - 1875. Abstract Full Text PDF Home Subscribe Author Instructions Submit Online Search the AJNR Archives Feedback Help Copyright © 2010 by the American Society of Neuroradiology. Print ISSN: 0195-6108 Online ISSN: 1936-959X

Journal

American Journal of NeuroradiologyAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology

Published: Oct 1, 2000

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