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Evaluation of the femoral midshaft in children with cerebral palsy using magnetic resonance imaging

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Abstract

Summary

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to show that children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and unable to ambulate independently compared to typically developing children have a remarkably underdeveloped femoral midshaft as indicated by a very thin diameter, a very thin cortical wall, and very low strength estimates.

Introduction

The femoral shaft is very susceptible to fracture in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (QCP); however, its structure and strength have not been evaluated.

Methods

The volume and width of the middle third of the femur (midfemur) and its cortical wall and medullary cavity were assessed in children with QCP and unable to ambulate independently and typically developing children (n = 10/group) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Estimates of cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), section modulus (Z), and polar moment of inertia (J) were also determined.

Results

Total volume of the midfemur and volume of its cortical wall and medullary cavity were substantially lower in children with QCP than controls (51–55%; p < 0.001). In addition, the total midfemur, its medullary cavity and the anterior, posterior, and lateral sections of its cortical wall were thinner (27–43%) in children with QCP (p < 0.001). The midfemur in children with QCP also had remarkably lower CSMI, Z, and J (60–71%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Children with QCP who lack the ability to ambulate independently have midfemurs that are very thin with very thin cortical walls and very low estimated strength. The disparity can be detected using MRI.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (HD050530), the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation. We express our deepest gratitude to all research participants and their families. We also thank the staff in the MRI Suite at the AI duPont Hospital for Children.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    C. M. Modlesky, S. A. Kanoff, D. L. Johnson & P. Subramanian

  2. Department of Orthopedics, AI duPont Hospital for Children, Nemours Children’s Clinic, Wilmington, DE, USA

    F. Miller

Authors
  1. C. M. Modlesky
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  2. S. A. Kanoff
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  3. D. L. Johnson
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  4. P. Subramanian
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  5. F. Miller
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Correspondence to C. M. Modlesky.

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Modlesky, C.M., Kanoff, S.A., Johnson, D.L. et al. Evaluation of the femoral midshaft in children with cerebral palsy using magnetic resonance imaging. Osteoporos Int 20, 609–615 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0718-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0718-8

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