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Background <p>The neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) may play an essential role in the formation and progression of scoliosis in pediatric populations. Previous experimental studies have primarily focused on modulating NCS growth through epiphysiodesis with unilateral pedicle screw fixation, which is associated with significant trauma. However, no study has explored the effect of minimally invasive intervention on the NCS to date.</p> Methods <p>Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three groups, each containing five animals. In the NCS group, the piglets were subjected to microwave ablation (MWA) of the NCS on the left side under CT guidance. In the sham group, the ipsilateral NCS was punctured under CT guidance, but no particular intervention was carried out, and the puncture needles were removed. In the control group, no intervention was performed. CT scans of the spinal alignment were obtained and analyzed every month after the respective interventions.</p> Results <p>No scoliotic curvature developed in the sham and control groups. A structured scoliosis was observed in all five animals of the NCS group at the first month following the intervention, with increasing deformity every month. All curves were located at the operated levels, with the convexity toward the unablated side. The coronal angle was 13.46 ± 1.62°, 15.49 ± 1.51°, and 19.63 ± 3.22° in the NCS group at the first, second, and third months following the operation, respectively. The height of the vertebral body and the pedicle length on the ablated side in the NCS group decreased compared to those of the other two groups and the contralateral side, showing significant differences. In addition, the spinal canal area in the NCS group was significantly smaller than that of the sham and control groups. Mild vertebral rotation was observed in the NCS group. Histological analysis revealed unilateral chondrocyte necrosis and fibrotic remodeling of NCS at the ablated area.</p> Conclusion <p>Unilateral ablation of the NCS under CT guidance is a minimally invasive procedure that can effectively modulate asymmetric growth of the spine in piglets, leading to scoliosis with convexity toward the unablated side. The ablation of the NCS can adversely affect the growth of the vertebral height, pedicle length, and spinal canal in piglets.</p>

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Experimental study of asymmetric growth of the vertebral neurocentral synchondrosis modulated with microwave ablation under CT guidance in piglets

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月19日

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  • TingBiao Zhu,
  • Jin Zhou,
  • YingSong Wang,
  • JingMing Xie,
  • Zhi Zhao,
  • ZhiYue Shi,
  • Ying Zhang,
  • Tao Li,
  • Wei Zhao,
  • Jie Xiao,
  • Xiaobing Tian,
  • Ni Bi

摘要

Background

The neurocentral synchondrosis (NCS) may play an essential role in the formation and progression of scoliosis in pediatric populations. Previous experimental studies have primarily focused on modulating NCS growth through epiphysiodesis with unilateral pedicle screw fixation, which is associated with significant trauma. However, no study has explored the effect of minimally invasive intervention on the NCS to date.

Methods

Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three groups, each containing five animals. In the NCS group, the piglets were subjected to microwave ablation (MWA) of the NCS on the left side under CT guidance. In the sham group, the ipsilateral NCS was punctured under CT guidance, but no particular intervention was carried out, and the puncture needles were removed. In the control group, no intervention was performed. CT scans of the spinal alignment were obtained and analyzed every month after the respective interventions.

Results

No scoliotic curvature developed in the sham and control groups. A structured scoliosis was observed in all five animals of the NCS group at the first month following the intervention, with increasing deformity every month. All curves were located at the operated levels, with the convexity toward the unablated side. The coronal angle was 13.46 ± 1.62°, 15.49 ± 1.51°, and 19.63 ± 3.22° in the NCS group at the first, second, and third months following the operation, respectively. The height of the vertebral body and the pedicle length on the ablated side in the NCS group decreased compared to those of the other two groups and the contralateral side, showing significant differences. In addition, the spinal canal area in the NCS group was significantly smaller than that of the sham and control groups. Mild vertebral rotation was observed in the NCS group. Histological analysis revealed unilateral chondrocyte necrosis and fibrotic remodeling of NCS at the ablated area.

Conclusion

Unilateral ablation of the NCS under CT guidance is a minimally invasive procedure that can effectively modulate asymmetric growth of the spine in piglets, leading to scoliosis with convexity toward the unablated side. The ablation of the NCS can adversely affect the growth of the vertebral height, pedicle length, and spinal canal in piglets.