Micro-CT: A Reliable Imaging Modality to Determine Patterns of Cranial Suture Fusion in the Murine Model

摘要

This study was performed to evaluate the process of normal posterior frontal (PF) suture fusion and to quantitate patterns of suture morphology in pre-fusion (day 25) and post-fusion (day 45) mouse calvaria. The calvaria of witnessed birth 25-day (n=7) and 45-day (n=7) old euthanized mice were analyzed by micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT). A non-blinded investigator analyzed the sutures, evaluating the ectocranial, central, and endocranial segments for patency based on the degree of mineralization. There were statistically significant differences in the percent of fusion of the ectocranial and central surfaces between day 25 and day 45. There was no statistically significant difference in the endocranial surface. Although it has previously been thought that the PF suture is patent on day 25 and fused on day 45, micro-CT analysis indicates that different patterns of fusion are present as early as day 25 and different levels of patency remain at day 45.