Computerized anatomy of the distal radius and its relevance to volar plating,research, and teaching

Distal radius fractures are common and fracture patterns and fixation can be complex. Computerized anatomy evaluation (CAE) might offer non‐invasive and enhanced anatomy assessment that might help with implant selection and placement and screw length determination. Our goal was to test the accuracy of two CAE methods for anatomical volar plate positioning and screw lengths measurement of the distal radius. We included 56 high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of intact, human distal radii. Plates were placed manually onto 3D printed models (method 1), which was compared with automated computerized plate placement onto the 3D computer models (method 2). Subsequently, screw lengths were determined digitally for both methods. Screw lengths evaluations were compared via Bland–Altman plots. Both CAE methods resulted in identical volar plate selection and in anatomical plate positioning. For screw length the concordance correlation coefficient was ≥0.91, the location shift ≤0.22 mm, and the scale shift ≤0.16. The differences were smaller than ±1 mm in all samples. Both CAE methods allow for comparable plate positioning and subsequent screw length measurement in distal radius volar plating. Both can be used as a non‐invasive teaching environment for volar plate fixation. Method 2 even offers fully computerized assessments. Future studies could compare our models to other anatomical areas, post‐operative volar plate positioning, and model performance in actual distal radius fracture instead of intact radii. Clin. Anat. 32:361–368, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.     

Functional Reorganization and Recovery After Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Subacute Stroke: Case Reports

Preliminary assessments of the feasibility, safety, and effects on neuronal reorganization measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) from Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) of the upper extremity were made in eight cases of subacute stroke. Within fourteen days of their stroke, patients were randomly assigned to two weeks of CIMT or traditional therapy. Baseline motor performance and cortical/subcortical representation for movement with TMS were assessed before treatment. Post-treatment assessments were made at the end of treatment and at three months after the stroke. The TMS mapping showed a larger motor representation in the lesioned hemisphere of the CIMT patients as compared to the controls at the three-month follow-up assessment. The enlarged motor representation in the lesioned hemisphere for hand movement correlated with improved motor function of the affected hand, suggesting a link between movement representation size as measured with TMS and functionality. These results suggest that TMS can be safely and effectively used to assess brain function in subacute stroke and further suggest that CIMT may enhance cortical/subcortical motor reorganization and accelerate motor recovery when started within the first two weeks after stroke.     

Computerized tomography based 3D modeling of the clavicle

Previous studies have suggested clavicular morphology is highly variable, particularly in the lateral retrocurved section. Current clavicle fracture plating systems require three dimensional intra‐operative contouring to achieve adequate fit and necessitate variable soft tissue dissection placing fracture perfusion and muscular attachments at risk. The aim of this study was to search for a surgically relevant superficial shape pattern. This is a retrospective CT‐based analysis of 174 non‐pathological clavicles in 95 adults (45 females, 50 males). Using the principle of cylindrical parameterisation generated 3‐D computer models, we identified an implant preferred pathway (IPP), defined as a continuous linear region where the least possible soft tissue disruption would be necessary for plate fixation. The IPP mean form was within 3.04 mm (SD ± 1.34) on all clavicles. Clavicle length, and not shape, was found to be the biggest variable (correlation between size and form co‐ordinates r = 0.99, p < 0.05), accounting for 79% of overall variability. This length variation was mainly located in the medial antecurved section. Superior convexity and recurvatum were the main shape variables, however they only contributed 8% and 5% to the overall variation, respectively. Three IPP lengths were shown to match all clavicles when aligned at the acromial end first. In contrast to previous studies, we have shown that the IPP is fairly consistent with respect to the general shape with the exception of length variation which mainly affected the medial antecurved section. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1216–1223, 2016.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Future pre‐contoured fracture fixation systems should provide variable length plates with a constant lateral section retrocurve and a variable medial antecurve.     

3D statistical modeling techniques to investigate the anatomy of the sacrum,its bone mass distribution,and the trans‐sacral corridors

The complex anatomy of the sacrum makes surgical fracture fixation challenging. We developed statistical models to investigate sacral anatomy with special regard to trans‐sacral implant fixation. We used computed tomographies of 20 intact adult pelves to establish 3D statistical models: a surface model of the sacrum and the trans‐sacral corridor S1, including principal component analysis (PCA), and an averaged gray value model of the sacrum given in Hounsfield Units. PCA demonstrated large variability in sacral anatomy markedly affecting the diameters of the trans‐sacral corridors. The configuration of the sacral alae and the vertical position of the auricular surfaces were important determinants of the trans‐sacral corridor dimension on level S1. The statistical model of trans‐sacral corridor S1 including the adjacent parts of the iliac bones showed main variation in length; however, the diameter was the main criterion for the surgically available corridor. The averaged gray value model revealed a distinct pattern of bone mass distribution with lower density particularly in the sacral alae. These advanced 3D statistical models provide a thorough anatomical understanding demonstrating the impact of sacral anatomy on positioning trans‐sacral implants. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1543–1548, 2014.     

Anatomical conditions of the posterior pelvic ring regarding bisegmental transverse sacroiliac screw fixation: a 3D morphometric study of 125 pelvic CT datasets

Introduction

Sacroiliac (SI) screws are used for osteosynthesis in unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries. In the cases of “sacral dysplasia”, in which the elevated upper sacrum does not allow a secure SI screw insertion into the S1 level, the S2 segment must be used to achieve stable fixation. The bone quality of the S2 segment is thinner compared to that of the S1 vertebra and may cause biomechanical weakness. An additional SI screw insertion into the S3 level may improve stability. With respect to the anatomical conditions of the posterior pelvic ring, there have been no anatomical investigations to date regarding SI screw placement into the third sacral segment.

Materials and methods

CT raw datasets from 125 patients (ø59 years, ø172 cm, ø76 kg) were post-processed using Amira 5.2 software to generate 3D pelvic models. A program code implemented in C++ computed a transverse bone corridor for the first, second and third sacral segments for a typical SI screw diameter of 7.3 mm. Volume, sagittal cross-section, iliac entrance area and length of the determined screw corridors were measured. A confidence interval of 95 % was assumed (p < 0.05).

Results

The fully automatic computation revealed a possible transverse insertion for one 7.3-mm screw in the third sacral segment in 30 cases (24 %). The rate (60 %) of feasible S3 screw placements in the cases of sacral dysplasia (n = 25) is significantly higher compared to that (15 %) of “normal” sacra (n = 100). With regard to the existence of transverse iliosacroiliac corridors as a function of sacral position in between the adjacent iliac bone bilaterally, a new classification of three different shape conditions can be made: caudad, intermediate minor, intermediate major, and cephalad sacrum. Gender, age, body height and body weight had no statistically significant influence on either possible screw insertion or on the calculated data of the corridors (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

SI screw insertion into the third sacral level deserves discussion in the cases of sacral dysplasia. Biomechanical and practical utility must be verified.     

A Method for Computing General Sacroiliac Screw Corridors Based on CT Scans of the Pelvis

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dislocations and sacral fractures of the pelvis can be stabilized by SI screws; however, screw insertion into a sacral isthmus region is risky for the adjacent neurovascular structures. Therefore, shape analyses of general SI screw corridors or safety zones are of great surgical interest; however, before such analyses can be conducted, a method for computing 3D models of general SI corridors from routine clinical computed tomography (CT) scans has to be developed. This work describes a method for determining general corridors in pelvic CT data for accurate screw placement into the first sacral body. The method is implemented with the computer language C++. The pelvic CT data are preprocessed before the presented algorithm computes a model of the 3D corridor volume. Additionally, the two most important parameters of the algorithm, the raster step and the virtual SI screw diameter, have been characterized. The result of the work is an algorithm for computing general SI screw corridors and its implementation. Additionally the influences of two important parameters, the raster step and the SI screw diameter, on corridor volume precision and computation time have been quantified for the test sample. We conclude that the method can be used in further corridor shape analyses with a large number of pelvic CT data sets for investigating general SI screw corridors and clinical consequences for the placements of the screws. Implementation of the presented software algorithm could also enhance performance of computer-assisted surgery in the near future.     

Brain natriuretic Peptide is produced in cardiac fibroblasts and induces matrix metalloproteinases

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) produce extracellular matrix proteins and participate in the remodeling of the heart. It is unknown if brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized by CFs and if BNP participates in the regulation of extracellular matrix turnover. In this study, we examined the production of BNP in adult canine CFs and the role of BNP and its signaling system on collagen synthesis and on the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). BNP mRNA was detected in CFs, and a specific radioimmunoassay demonstrated that BNP(1-32) was secreted into the media at a rate of 11.2+/-1.0 pg/10(5) cells per 48 hours (mean+/-SEM). The amount of BNP secretion was significantly (P<0.01) augmented by 10(-7) mol/L tumor necrosis factor-alpha in a time-dependent manner. BNP significantly (P<0.01) inhibited de novo collagen synthesis as assessed by [3H]proline incorporation, whereas zymographic MMP-2 (gelatinase) abundance was significantly (P<0.05) stimulated by BNP between 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/L. In addition, protein expression of MMP-1, -2, and -3 and membranous type-1 MMP was significantly increased by 10(-6) mol/L BNP. The cGMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP (10(-4) mol/L) mimicked the BNP effect, whereas inhibition of protein kinase G by KT5823 (10(-6) mol/L) significantly (P<0.05) attenuated BNP-induced zymographic MMP-2 abundance. In summary, this study reports that BNP is present in cultured CFs and that BNP decreases collagen synthesis and increases MMPs via cGMP-protein kinase G signaling. These in vitro findings support a role for BNP as a regulator of myocardial structure via control of cardiac fibroblast function.