Remesz Ross, Khurelbaatar Tsolmonbaatar, Rabey Karyne N, Doschak Michael R, Romanyk Dan L
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Bone Rep. 2023 Sep 20;19:101714. doi: 10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101714. eCollection 2023 Dec.
Differences in complexity of cranial suture forms on the endocranial (i.e., deep) and ectocranial (i.e., superficial) skull surfaces have been noted in the literature, indicating through thickness three-dimensional (3D) suture variability depending on the chosen section and necessity for considering the complete 3D structure in many cases. This study aims to evaluate the variability of suture morphology through the skull thickness using a rat model, and to provide more robust metrics and methodologies to analyze suture morphology.
X-ray micro-computed tomographic (μCT) imaging methods were utilized in order to provide internal structure information. Methods were developed to isolate and analyze sutures widths and linear interdigitation index (LII) values on each adjacent offset transverse plane of the μCT datasets. LII was defined as the curved path length of the suture divided by the linear length between the ends of the region of interest. Scans were obtained on 15 female rats at ages of 16, 20, and 24 weeks ( = 5/age). Samples were imaged at 18 μm resolutions with 90 kV source voltage, 278 μA source amperage, and 0.7° increments. Suture widths and LII values were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test.
3D variability in local suture widths within individuals, as well as through thickness variabilities in planar widths and LII was observed. Kruskal-Wallis tests for bulk through thickness averaged suture widths and LII were found to be statistically insignificant, despite clear geometric differences through suture thicknesses.
Although the bulk morphometric variability between age groups was found to be statistically insignificant, the 3D variability within individuals point to the importance of analyzing suture form using 3D metrics when studying suture development, response to functional activity, or morphometry in general.
文献中已指出颅内（即深部）和颅外（即浅表）颅骨表面颅骨缝形式的复杂性存在差异，这表明在许多情况下，根据所选截面，缝合线存在三维（3D）厚度变化，因此有必要考虑完整的3D结构。本研究旨在使用大鼠模型评估颅骨厚度上缝合形态的变异性，并提供更可靠指标和方法来分析缝合形态。
采用X射线微计算机断层扫描（μCT）成像方法以提供内部结构信息。开发了一些方法来分离和分析μCT数据集中每个相邻偏移横向平面上的缝合线宽度和线性交错指数（LII）值。LII定义为缝合线的弯曲路径长度除以感兴趣区域两端之间的直线长度。对15只16、20和24周龄的雌性大鼠（每个年龄组n = 5）进行扫描。样本以18μm分辨率成像，源电压为90 kV，源电流为278μA，增量为0.7°。使用Kruskal-Wallis检验比较缝合线宽度和LII值。
观察到个体内局部缝合线宽度的3D变异性，以及平面宽度和LII的厚度变异性。尽管缝合线厚度存在明显的几何差异，但通过厚度平均缝合线宽度和LII的Kruskal-Wallis检验在统计学上无显著意义。
虽然发现年龄组之间的整体形态测量变异性在统计学上无显著意义，但个体内的3D变异性表明，在研究缝合线发育、对功能活动的反应或一般形态测量时，使用3D指标分析缝合线形态具有重要意义。
