Assessment of bony bridge by computed tomography: experimental model in the rabbit and clinical application.

A bony bridge was created in the growth plates of young rabbits. Weekly computed tomography (CT) scanning was done in the axial (transverse) plane for 3 weeks. Transverse histological sections from the plate area were examined after 3 weeks. The CT image showed the exact location and extent of the sclerotic bony bridge. The area of the bony bridge as a percentage of the plate was measured from the CT image. Good correlation was found between the CT image and the histological section. This technique has been applied to children, and three such examples show accurate assessment of the growth plate.