Method for monitoring growth disorder therapy

Abstract

In a method for monitoring growth disorder therapy, a magnetic resonance image of a skeletal body portion, such as a hand, of a candidate for growth disorder therapy is obtained using an open magnetic resonance scanner and using an imaging sequence to produce a tomogram having a slice thickness which approximates the thickness of the hand. The number of visible wrist bones and the width of epiphysis joints in the magnetic resonance image is evaluated to obtain osteo age data, and the osteo age data, in conjunction with an atlas of compiled osteo age data, are used to determine the osteo age of the candidate for growth disorder therapy. The relationship between the osteo age of the candidate and the chronological age of the candidate is used to determine whether growth disorder therapy is required. If growth disorder therapy is administered, such as by administering a hormone, the above procedure is repeated after a predetermined time, and the status of the therapy is again evaluated.

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