Extent of pulmonary fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography is a prognostic factor in patients with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis

BackgroundSeveral prognostic factors for pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) have recently been reported. However, detailed high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings have not yet been evaluated as prognostic factors. This study retrospectively investigated whether HRCT findings are prognostic factors in patients with PPFE compared to those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsPatients with PPFE and IPF diagnosed at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2016 were enrolled. Clinical and HRCT characteristics were obtained. In addition to our patients, we also analyzed data of PPFE patients whose cause of death had been identified in previous studies.ResultsWe enrolled 15 patients with PPFE and 75 patients with IPF. Consolidation and maximum pleural thickening were significantly higher in patients with PPFE than in those with IPF (both P < .001). Fibrosis score, honeycomb area, and traction bronchiectasis were not significantly different between these patient groups but were significant prognostic factors in patients with PPFE in univariate analysis (P = .021, P = .017, and P = .014, respectively). The proportions of deaths by acute exacerbation or lung cancer were significantly lower in patients with PPFE than in those with IPF (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively), whereas death by respiratory failure was significantly more frequent in PPFE patients (P < .001).ConclusionsHRCT findings, such as fibrosis score, honeycomb area, and traction bronchiectasis, were independent prognostic factors in patients with PPFE. Respiratory failure, but not acute exacerbation and lung cancer, was the main cause of death in patients with PPFE.     

外环境湿度和换气次数对独立通风笼盒微环境湿度和氨浓度的影响

目的：评估在独立通风笼盒（IVC）所处环境不同湿度条件下,IVC 不同换气次数时,大、小鼠 IVC 微环境湿度和氨浓度的变化。方法屏障环境内,以7 d 为换笼周期,分别设定室内环境低湿（40％）、中湿（50％）、高湿（60％）,IVC 换气次数为40次/h、60次/h 时,对3个品牌大、小鼠 IVC 微环境进行测定,观察笼盒内湿度和氨浓度的变化。结果当室内环境为低湿条件,小鼠和大鼠 IVC 换气次数设置为40次/h 时;当室内环境为中湿条件,小鼠换气次数设置为40次/h、大鼠换气次数设置为60次/h 时;当室内环境为高湿条件,小鼠换气次数设置为60次/h 时,笼盒内微环境均基本能够满足 GB14925-2010对湿度和氨浓度的要求。而在高湿情况下,即使大鼠 IVC换气次数置为60次/h 也不能满足要求。结论室内环境湿度和 IVC 换气次数是影响 IVC 微环境的关键指标,只有依据室内环境条件合理设置 IVC 换气次数才能较好地维护 IVC 微环境和达到有效管理的目的。     

Interfacial shear strength of bioactive‐coated carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone after in vivo implantation

Despite the excellent osseointegration of carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR/PEEK) with a surface hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, the bone‐implant interfacial shear strength of HA‐coated CFR/PEEK after osseointegration is unclear. We examined the interfacial shear strength of HA‐coated CFR/PEEK implants after in vivo implantation in a rabbit femur‐implant pull‐out test model. HA coating was performed by a newly developed method. Uncoated CFR/PEEK, HA‐coated blasted titanium alloy, and uncoated blasted titanium alloy were used as control implants. The implants were inserted into drilled femoral cortex, and pull‐out tests were conducted after 6 and 12 weeks of implantation to determine maximum interfacial shear strength. The HA‐coated CFR/PEEK (15.7 ± 4.5 MPa) and HA‐coated titanium alloy (14.1 ± 6.0 MPa) exhibited significantly larger interfacial shear strengths than the uncoated CFR/PEEK (7.7 ± 1.8 MPa) and the uncoated titanium alloy (7.8 ± 2.1 MPa) at 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, only the uncoated CFR/PEEK (8.3 ± 3.0 MPa) exhibited a significantly smaller interfacial shear strength, as compared to the HA‐coated CFR/PEEK (17.4 ± 3.6 MPa), HA‐coated titanium alloy (14.2 ± 4.8 MPa), and uncoated titanium alloy (15.0 ± 2.6 MPa). Surface analysis of the removed implants revealed detachment of the HA layer in both the HA‐coated CFR/PEEK and titanium alloy implants. The proposed novel HA coating method of CFR/PEEK significantly increased interfacial shear strength between bone and CFR/PEEK. The achieved interfacial shear strength of the HA‐coated CFR/PEEK implant is of the same level as that of grit‐blasted titanium alloy with HA. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1618–1625, 2012     

In vivo thorax 3D modelling from costovertebral joint complex kinematics

Background

The costovertebral joint complex is mechanically involved in both respiratory function and thoracic spine stability. The thorax has been studied for a long time to understand its involvement in the physiological mechanism leading to specific gas exchange. Few studies have focused on costovertebral joint complex kinematics, and most of them focused on experimental in vitro analysis related to loading tests or global thorax and/or lung volume change analysis. There is however a clinical need for new methods allowing to process in vivo clinical data. This paper presents results from in vivo analysis of the costovertebral joint complex kinematics from clinically-available retrospective data.

Methods

In this study, in vivo spiral computed tomography imaging data were obtained from 8 asymptomatic subjects at three different lung volumes (from total lung capacity to functional residual capacity) calibrated using a classical spirometer. Fusion methods including 3D modelling and kinematic analysis were used to provide 3D costovertebral joint complex visualization for the true ribs (i.e., first seven pairs of ribs).

Findings

The 3D models of the first seven pairs of costovertebral joint complexes were obtained. A continuous kinematics simulation was interpolated from the three discrete computerized tomography positions. Helical axis representation was also achieved.

Interpretation

Preliminary results show that the method leads to meaningful and relevant results for clinical and pedagogical applications. Research in progress compares data from a sample of healthy volunteers with data collected from patients with cystic fibrosis to obtain new insights about the costovertebral joint complex range of motion and helical axis assessment in different pathological conditions.     

The long-term mechanical integrity of non-reinforced PEEK-OPTIMA polymer for demanding spinal applications: experimental and finite-element analysis

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a novel polymer with potential advantages for its use in demanding orthopaedic applications (e.g. intervertebral cages). However, the influence of a physiological environment on the mechanical stability of PEEK has not been reported. Furthermore, the suitability of the polymer for use in highly stressed spinal implants such as intervertebral cages has not been investigated. Therefore, a combined experimental and analytical study was performed to address these open questions. A quasi-static mechanical compression test was performed to compare the initial mechanical properties of PEEK-OPTIMA polymer in a dry, room-temperature and in an aqueous, 37 degrees C environment (n=10 per group). The creep behaviour of cylindrical PEEK polymer specimens (n=6) was measured in a simulated physiological environment at an applied stress level of 10 MPa for a loading duration of 2000 hours (12 weeks). To compare the biomechanical performance of different intervertebral cage types made from PEEK and titanium under complex loading conditions, a three-dimensional finite element model of a functional spinal unit was created. The elastic modulus of PEEK polymer specimens in a physiological environment was 1.8% lower than that of specimens tested at dry, room temperature conditions (P<0.001). The results from the creep test showed an average creep strain of less than 0.1% after 2000 hours of loading. The finite element analysis demonstrated high strain and stress concentrations at the bone/implant interface, emphasizing the importance of cage geometry for load distribution. The stress and strain maxima in the implants were well below the material strength limits of PEEK. In summary, the experimental results verified the mechanical stability of the PEEK-OPTIMA polymer in a simulated physiological environment, and over extended loading periods. Finite element analysis supported the use of PEEK-OPTIMA for load-bearing intervertebral implants.     

椎弓根钉内固定并椎间融合器治疗腰椎滑脱症手术前后X线对比

目的:探讨椎弓根钉内固定并椎间融合器治疗腰椎滑脱症的手术疗效。方法:应用全椎板减压椎弓根钉杆系统复位和固定椎间隙置入椎间融合器,治疗腰椎滑脱症38例。对所有病例进行术前和术后的X线检查,对滑脱程度、滑脱角、椎间隙后高等进行测量及评估。结果:术后所有患者滑脱均有不同程度复位,椎间隙后高、滑脱率、滑脱角均得到明显改善,生理曲度恢复。结论:椎弓根钉内固定并椎间融合器的治疗方法能使腰椎滑脱得到较为确实的复位和固定,有效恢复腰椎的生理曲度。     

Bioresorbable polymers: heading for a new generation of spinal cages

The use of polymer-based bioresorbable materials is now expanding to the realm of spinal interbody fusion. Bioresorbable polymers have important advantages over metals, because they are temporary, much less stiff, and radiolucent. Most promising is a group of -polyesters, in particular polylactide acids (PLAs). Their biocompatibility is excellent, and they have sufficient stiffness and strength to provide initial and intermediate-term stability required for bone healing. However, polylactides have characteristics that make them vulnerable to complications if not properly controlled. Degradation rate strongly depends on polymer type, impurities, manufacturing process, sterilization, device size, and the local environment. The fact that larger implants degrade faster is contra-intuitive, and should be considered in the design process. Also optimal surgical techniques, such as careful bone bed preparation, are required for a successful application of these materials. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the specific properties of these bioresorbable polymers and to discuss their potential and limitations. This is illustrated with early preclinical and clinical data.Bioresorbable cage technology is just emerging: their time-engineered degradation characteristics allow controlled dynamization in interbody applications, facilitating spinal fusion. Their radiolucency improves image assessment of fusion healing. Acceptance and use of bioresorbable implants may increase as further research and clinical studies report on their safety, efficacy, and proper usage.     

Anterior cervical fusion with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages in the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Preliminary observations in 36 consecutive cases with a minimum 12-month follow-up

Summary Study design. Retrospective analysis of 36 cases of degenerative disc disease treated by interbody fusion with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages. Objective. To determine the safety and efficiency of PEEK cages for anterior cervical fusion (ACF). Summary of background data. ACF with autologous bone has been reported since over 50 years ago. The recent development of cages housing materials inducing osteogenesis simplifies the technique of interbody fusion. The main purposes of bone substitutes for ACF are immediate biomechanical support, osteo-integration of the graft, and elimination of local side effects at the donor site. This report shows our results using PEEK cages. Materials and methods. During an 18-month period, 36 consecutive patients had cervical fusions at 43 levels between C3 and C7. All operations involved one or two disc spaces for degenerative disc disease. We implanted all disc spaces with PEEK cages (Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, MI) containing granulated coralline hydroxylapatite (Pro-Osteon 200, Interpore Cross International, Irvine, CA) or deantigenated pig bone in a gel solution (Gen-Os, Tecnoss, Torino, Italy). Results. About 97% of patients had a good to excellent outcome; the result in one myelopathic patient was fair. The cervical fusion rate was 16.7% at 3 months, 61.1% at 6 months, and 100% at one year. Conclusions. PEEK cages appear to be safe and efficient for ACF. In order to confirm our preliminary impressions studies on larger series with long term follow-up are warranted.     

椎弓根螺钉PEEK棒动态稳定内固定系统治疗腰椎退行性疾病

目的:探讨椎弓根螺钉PEEK棒动态稳定内固定系统治疗退变性腰椎疾病的临床疗效及对植骨融合时间的影响.方法:退变性腰椎疾病患者40例,随机分为PEEK动态内固定组(A组)20例和坚强内固定组(B组)20例.两组患者均行后路减压椎间植骨融合内固定术,A组用PEEK棒安装于椎弓根螺钉钉尾予以动态稳定内固定,B组以钛棒安装于钉尾进行坚强内固定.比较两组患者的治疗效果及同期椎间植骨融合率等.治疗效果评价采用 Oswestry 功能障碍指数(ODI)评分,同期椎间植骨融合率根据X线片和CT平扫检查结果进行评价.结果:所有患者术后均随访7～16个月,平均12个月.两组患者术后症状均有明显改善,ODI评分与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);A组治疗效果优于B组(P＜0.01).术后3个月A组植骨融合率明显高于B组(P＜0.05),末次随访两组植骨融合率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两组均未出现内固定相关并发症.结论:坚强内固定和椎弓根螺钉PEEK棒动态稳定内固定治疗腰椎退变性疾病均可取得较为满意的短期临床疗效,其中椎弓根螺钉PEEK棒动态稳定内固定术后椎间融合时间更短,治疗效果更优,因此更值得推荐,但其长期疗效仍需要进一步观察.     

大、小直径钛网对终板-钛网界面应力分布影响的比较

目的 比较大、小直径钛网植骨对颈椎椎体次全切除减压终板-钛网界面应力分布的影响.方法 利用Ansys 9.0软件的建模功能,建立大、小直径钛网植骨钢板固定手术模型.分别对模型施加80 N预载荷及1.8 Nm力矩,使其产生轴向压缩、前屈和后伸运动,选取终板-钛网界面7个接触点,提取各个点的von Mise.应力,然后进行...