Projection and patient satisfaction using the "Hamburger" nipple reconstruction technique

Maintaining projection and achieving patient satisfaction are two key challenges in nipple reconstruction. Skin flap techniques such as CV and star flaps are currently favoured. The "Hamburger" technique was described in 2007 using stacked conchal cartilage discs within a skin flap construct, but no longer-term outcomes have been published. We evaluate both projection and patient satisfaction following nipple reconstruction using this technique. Twenty-three nipple reconstructions performed between 2007 and 2009 were reviewed. A standard pre-tattooed cylinder skin pattern was used with 3 punch biopsies of conchal cartilage harvested through a post-auricular incision. At follow up, reconstructed nipples and donor sites were examined. Nipple projection was measured bilaterally. Patients completed a short questionnaire. Mean follow up was 24 months (9-31). Mean projection was 3.3?mm (range 0-5?mm) and was well matched to the contralateral nipple. No donor site keloid scarring was observed, however cartilage defects were easily palpable in all cases. Patients were satisfied or very satisfied with overall cosmesis in 91% of cases. They were satisfied or very satisfied with projection in 57% of cases. All patients found the donor site acceptable. With the "hamburger" technique medium-term projection was maintained in most cases and was comparable to published data for other techniques with or without cartilage. Patient satisfaction was high even when projection was not well maintained. This suggests that patient satisfaction and projection are not necessarily related. Donor site morbidity was low.     

Water content and equilibrium water partition in immature cartilage

The water content, equilibrium water partition, and total thickness for immature bovine articular cartilage were determined and compared to previously determined values for mature tissue. The bulk equilibrium water partition and thickness were significantly greater in immature tissue as compared to mature tissue, while the bulk water content was similar. Spatial differences were noted in each physical parameter.     

Composition and transport properties of human ankle and knee cartilage.

The incidence of osteoarthritis is significantly higher in the knee as compared to the ankle, suggesting that differences in the properties of cartilage from these joints may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. As an avascular tissue, articular cartilage depends primarily upon diffusion for molecular transport. The goal of this study was to determine if differences in the structure and composition between ankle and knee cartilage were also reflected as differences in solute transport properties. The diffusion coefficient and partition coefficient of a 70-kDa dextran molecule were measured in human ankle and knee articular cartilage using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and were compared to the proteoglycan, collagen, water, and DNA contents within each zone. The mean partition coefficient was significantly lower in the ankle compared to the knee (0.010+/-0.002 vs. 0.022+/-0.003, p<0.01), but no differences in the diffusion coefficients were observed (34.6 +/- 0.9 microm(2)s(-1) vs. 35.4+/-2.4 microm(2)s(-1), p=0.70). Ankle cartilage exhibited higher proteoglycan content as well as a trend toward lower water content, suggesting that ankle cartilage has a smaller effective pore size than knee cartilage. These findings suggest that differences in the composition of ankle and knee cartilage contribute to a difference in the partition coefficient. The results of this study provide further support for the hypothesis that the transport properties of cartilage may play a role in the differences in the incidence of osteoarthritis in these joints by altering the effective concentration of growth factors and cytokines to which chondrocytes are exposed.     

Alendronate increases BMD at appendicular and axial skeletons in patients with established osteoporosis

Background

Evidence has strongly indicated that surface-active phospholipid (SAPL), or surfactant, lines the surface of cartilage and serves as a lubricating agent. Previous clinical study showed that a saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC), dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), was effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis, however recent studies suggested that the dominant SAPL species at some sites outside the lung are not SPC, rather, are unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (USPC). Some of these USPC have been proven to be good boundary lubricants by our previous study, implicating their possible important physiological roles in joint if their existence can be confirmed. So far, no study has been conducted to identify the whole molecule species of different phosphatidylcholine (PC) classes on the surface of cartilage. In this study we identified the dominant PC molecule species on the surface of cartilage. We also confirmed that some of these PC species possess a property of semipermeability.

Methods

HPLC was used to analyse the PC profile of bovine cartilage samples and comparisons of DPPC and USPC were carried out through semipermeability tests.

Results

It was confirmed that USPC are the dominant SAPL species on the surface of cartilage. In particular, they are Dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DLPC), Palmitoyl-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine, (PLPC), Palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and Stearoyl-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (SLPC). The relative content of DPPC (a SPC) was only 8%. Two USPC, PLPC and POPC, were capable of generating osmotic pressure that is equivalent to that by DPPC.

Conclusion

The results from the current study confirm vigorously that USPC is the endogenous species inside the joint as against DPPC thereby confirming once again that USPC, and not SPC, characterizes the PC species distribution at non-lung sites of the body. USPC not only has better anti-friction and lubrication properties than DPPC, they also possess a level of semipermeability that is equivalent to DPPC. We therefore hypothesize that USPC can constitute a possible addition or alternative to the current commercially available viscosupplementation products for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.     

"双相"组织工程软骨修复兔关节骨软骨缺损

目的探讨“双相”异体骨基质明胶（bonematrixgelatin,BMG）作为组织工程软骨载体,与同体骨髓间充质干细胞（marrowmesenchymalstemcells,MSCs）结合,构建组织工程软骨修复兔关节骨软骨缺损的效果。方法4月龄新西兰兔32只,雌雄不限,体重2～3kg。①体外实验：取5只新西兰兔,处死后取髂骨和四肢骨,制备一侧松质骨,一侧皮质骨的“双相”异体BMG载体,扫描电镜观察。另取新西兰兔18只,抽取骨髓,分离MSCs并诱导成软骨分化;将诱导而来的软骨前体细胞与“双相”BMG载体复合构建组织工程软骨,分别于1、3和5周取材行Masson、PAS染色和扫描电镜观察。②体内实验：将抽取骨髓的18只及余下的9只新西兰兔制成双侧股骨内髁骨软骨缺损模型,将前期制备的组织工程软骨同体植入18只兔的右股骨内髁骨软骨缺损（A组）,左侧缺损移植异体BMG（B组）,其余9只双侧软骨缺损未予处理作为空白对照（C组）,分别于术后1、3和6个月取材,行大体、组织学和Ⅱ型胶原mRNA原位杂交观察,改良Wakitani法评分,比较各组修复效果差异。结果①体外实验：“双相”BMG松质骨面孔隙大小100-800μm,细胞于其中增生,形成富含细胞的软骨层;皮质骨面孔隙大小10～40pm,细胞层状覆盖于其表面,可作为起支撑作用的软骨下骨。②体内实验：A组术后1个月即可重建关节骨软骨缺损;修复软骨在观察期内逐渐变薄,但在6个月内始终保持关节面及软骨下骨结构完整。B、C组未能修复缺损,缺损周边软骨磨损加剧。改良Wakitani评分显示A组在3个时间点的各项评分结果,除6个月软骨厚度外,其它指标均优于B、C组,且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。Ⅱ型胶原mRNA原位杂交显示,A组缺损区修复组织中细胞阳性染色率明显高于B、C组,且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论“双相”异体BMG可作为组织工程软骨载体材料,其结合自体MSCs诱导的软骨前体细胞制备的组织工程软骨,可修复兔关节软骨和软骨下骨。     

The "patellofemoral joint" problem

In the differential diagnosis of femoropatellar joint disease, three conditions must be considered: (1) peripatellar irritation; (2) chondromalacia of the patella; (3) femoropatellar arthrosis. In approximately 90% of the cases, peripatellar irritation and chondromalacia of the patella can be kept under control by active extension and strengthening exercises for the femoral flexor and extensor musculature. In therapy-resistant cases, arthroscopic surgery can provide the opportunity to influence the pathological gliding process positively. The operative procedure is planned on the basis of clinical and radiological examinations and computed tomography investigations. Dysplasia of the patella, including a lax patella, not only requires lateral release, but also medial tightening whereas patellar insufficiency can be treated successfully by lateral release alone. In our new staging procedure, chondromalacia and femoropatellar arthrosis are differentiated. Stage III chondromalacia is simply smoothed out via arthroscopy. In the treatment of femoropatellar arthrosis, on the other hand, restitution of the cartilage defect is of most importance. The age of the patient and staging of the cartilage defect determine which therapeutic procedure is to be used. The "release" operations in the treatment of femoropatellar arthrosis serve to relieve the damaged cartilage area and depend on the axial positioning of the knee joint.     

Influence of cartilage conformation on its equilibrium water partition

The spatial and bulk water equilibrium partition and fluid content were determined for normal adult bovine articular cartilage as a function of pH, temperature, and geometric confinement. Water partition averaged 60 +/- 7% at neutral pH and 37 degrees C and increased with decreasing pH and increasing temperature without a concomitant change in fluid content. The variation in water partition appeared to be a result of local conformation changes in the collagen fibril ultrastructure causing a transfer between free and trapped water volume. Removal of the lateral and subchondral bone geometric constraints caused an increase in both the water partition and fluid content. However, this partition variation could be accounted for solely from a change in free fluid volume without a change in the trapped fluid volume. These results suggest that in articular cartilage the proteoglycan-collagen interaction may be an important mechanism for controlling the partition of water between a freely exchangeable space and a space allowing no fluid exchange.     

Magnetic resonance mapping of the rim of articular cartilage defects of the patella

Purpose

Elevated T2-values of articular cartilage are associated with an increase in cartilage water that results from a damaged collagen matrix, and provide a marker for cartilage damage. We used T2 mapping to analyse the rim of cartilage defects that appeared to be intact on the morphological sequences, to determine whether there are early biochemical changes already present.

Method

We calculated T2 values for the rim of cartilage defects in 25 patients and compared these values to another area of control cartilage in these patients.

Results

A highly significant increase in T2 values of the deep, superficial, and global layer of the rim versus the control cartilage was measured. ANOVA showed a significant correlation of the defect levels with the T2 values of the deep and global zone of the adjacent cartilage tissue, but not with the superficial zone.

Conclusion

Although cartilage appears to be intact on morphological sequences, T2 mapping can show a loss of structural anisotropy of collagen and the associated increase in cartilage water that indicates the destruction of the adjacent cartilage. Preoperative information about the degree of damage of the collagen matrix will support decision making for cartilage repair.     

Separation of healthy and early osteoarthritis by automatic quantification of cartilage homogeneity

OBJECTIVE: Cartilage loss as determined either by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by joint space narrowing in X-rays is the result of cartilage erosion. However, metabolic processes within the cartilage that later result in cartilage loss may be a more accurate assessment method for early changes. Early biological processes of cartilage destruction are among other things, a combination of proteoglycan turnover, as a result of altered charge distributions, and local alterations in water content (edema). As water distribution is detectable by MRI, the aim of this study was to investigate cartilage homogeneity visualized by MRI related to water distribution, as a potential very early marker for early detection of knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: One hundred and fourteen right and left knees from 71 subjects aged 22-79 years were scanned using a Turbo 3D T(1) sequence on a 0.18T MRI Esaote scanner. The medial compartment of the tibial cartilage sheet was segmented using a fully automatic voxel classification scheme based on supervised learning. From the segmented cartilage sheet, homogeneity was quantified by measuring entropy from the distribution of signal intensities inside the compartment. For each knee an X-ray was acquired and the knees were categorized by the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) index and the joint space width (JSW) was measured. The P-values for separating the groups by each of JSW, cartilage volume, cartilage mean intensity, and cartilage homogeneity were calculated using the unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The P-value for separating the group diagnosed as KL 0 from the group being KL 1 based on JSW, volume and mean signal intensity the values were P=0.9, P=0.4 and P=0.0009, respectively. In contrast, the P-value for homogeneity was P=0.0004. The precision of the measures assessed, as a test-retest root mean square coefficient of variation (RMS-CV%) was 3.9% for JSW, 7.4% for volume, 3.9% for mean signal intensity and 3.0% for homogeneity quantification. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that the distribution of components of the articular matrix precedes erosion, as measured by cartilage homogeneity related to water concentration. We show that homogeneity was able to separate early OA from healthy individuals in contrast to traditional volume and JSW quantifications. These data suggest that cartilage homogeneity quantification may be able to quantify early biochemical changes in articular cartilage prior to cartilage loss and thereby provide better identification of patients for OA trials who may respond better to medicinal intervention of some treatments. In addition, this study supports the feasibility of using low-field MRI in clinical studies.     

The oncofetal gene survivin is re-expressed in osteoarthritis and is required for chondrocyte proliferation <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Background

Regulation of cell death and cell division are key processes during chondrogenesis and in cartilage homeostasis and pathology. The oncogene survivin is considered to be critical for the coordination of mitosis and maintenance of cell viability during embryonic development and in cancer, and is not detectable in most adult differentiated tissues and cells. We analyzed survivin expression in osteoarthritic cartilage and its function in primary human chondrocytes in vitro.

Methods

Survivin expression was analyzed by immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The localization was visualized by immunofluorescence. Survivin functions in vitro were investigated by transfection of a specific siRNA.

Results

Survivin was expressed in human osteoarthritic cartilage, but was not detectable in macroscopically and microscopically unaffected cartilage of osteoarthritic knee joints. In primary human chondrocyte cultures, survivin was localized to heterogeneous subcellular compartments. Suppression of survivin resulted in inhibition of cell cycle progression and sensitization toward apoptotic stimuli in vitro.

Conclusions

The present study indicates a role for survivin in osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes. In vitro experiments indicated its involvement in cellular division and viability. Learning more about the functions of survivin in chondrocyte biology might further help toward understanding and modulating the complex processes of cartilage pathology and regeneration.

     

Possibility of "distraction arthrogenesis": first report in rabbit model

We investigated the possibility of articular cartil-age distraction for use in reconstructing joint structure and for increasing the donor site of osteochondral grafts. Intraarticular osteotomy was performed at the femoral condyle in 12 Japanese white rabbits. The bone segment was fixed with a specially designed external fixator. After a 3-week waiting period, distraction was performed intermittently for 3 weeks (0.7 mm × 3 times per week) in the distraction group (n = 7) and, in the remaining animals (gap group; n = 5), a gap of 6.3 mm in length was made at surgery. All rabbits received etidronate injections (20 mg/kg ×2 times per week) for 5 weeks, to slow mineralization. The femoral condyle was harvested 9 weeks postoperatively and decalcified sagittal sections were stained and evaluated, using a histological grading scale. In the distraction group, distraction of 4.2 ± 1.4 mm was achieved, and the distracted cartilage area was filled with regenerated cartilage, without any gap between the regenerated and the adjacent articular cartilage. This regenerated cartilage showed metachromasia with toluidine blue. In the gap group, newly formed cartilage tissue was folded from the edge of the osteotomy site and fibrous tissue was interposed in the gap. The histological grading score was significantly lower in the distraction group (P < 0.02). Our preliminary results demonstrated the possibility of cartilage distraction; however, long-term observation will be necessary to confirm the characteristics of the distracted cartilage. We may call the process "distraction arthrogenesis", because the entire articular entity, which consists of cartilage, subchondral bone, and bone, could be distracted at once. Received: April 5, 2001 / Accepted: July 15, 2001     

“U”形耳廓软骨在鼻翼缺损修复中的应用

目的:观察应用"U"形耳廓软骨支架修复鼻翼软骨缺损的临床疗效,总结其优越性。方法:本组35例鼻翼缺损患者,采取单侧或双侧耳甲腔、耳屏间切迹和耳屏区域的"U"形耳廓软骨,将其游离移植修复鼻翼支架缺损,并对其疗效进行评估。结果:应用耳甲腔、耳屏间切迹和耳屏区域的"U"形耳廓软骨修复鼻翼缺损,效果良好、可靠,不易遗留供区缺损、畸形。结论:采取的耳甲腔、耳屏间切迹、耳屏区域的"U"形耳廓软骨的局部解剖形态与鼻翼软骨较为相似,应用其修复鼻翼缺损,手术效果可靠,疗效满意,值得推广。     

Namaste (counterbalancing) technique: Overcoming warping in costal cartilage

Background:

Indian noses are broader and lack projection as compared to other populations, hence very often need augmentation, that too by large volume. Costal cartilage remains the material of choice in large volume augmentations and repair of complex primary and secondary nasal deformities. One major disadvantage of costal cartilage grafts (CCG) which offsets all other advantages is the tendency to warp and become distorted over a period of time. We propose a simple technique to overcome this menace of warping.

Materials and Methods:

We present the data of 51 patients of rhinoplasty done using CCG with counterbalancing technique over a period of 4 years.

Results:

No evidence of warping was found in any patient up to a maximum follow-up period of 4 years.

Conclusion:

Counterbalancing is a useful technique to overcome the problem of warping. It gives liberty to utilize even unbalanced cartilage safely to provide desired shape and use the cartilage without any wastage.KEY WORDS: Autogenous cartilage, costal cartilage graft, counterbalancing technique, rhinoplasty, warping     

Osteochondritis Dissecans Knee Histology Studies Have Variable Findings and Theories of Etiology

Background

Although many etiological theories have been proposed for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), its etiology remains unclear. Histological analysis of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissues of OCD lesions can provide useful information about the cellular changes and progression of OCD. Previous research is predominantly comprised of retrospective clinical studies from which limited conclusions can be drawn.

Questions/purposes

The purposes of this study were threefold: (1) Is osteonecrosis a consistent finding in OCD biopsy specimens? (2) Is normal articular cartilage a consistent finding in OCD biopsy specimens? (3) Do histological studies propose an etiology for OCD based on the tissue findings?

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies that conducted histological analyses of OCD lesions of the knee and identified 1560 articles. Of these, 11 met our inclusion criteria: a study of OCD lesions about the knee, published in the English language, and performed a histological analysis of subchondral bone and articular cartilage. These 11 studies were assessed for an etiology proposed in the study based on the study findings.

Results

Seven of 11 studies reported subchondral bone necrosis. Four studies reported normal articular cartilage, two studies reported degenerated or irregular articular cartilage, and five studies found a combination of normal and degenerated or irregular articular cartilage. Five studies proposed trauma or repetitive stress and two studies proposed poor blood supply as possible etiologies.

Conclusions

We found limited research on histological analysis of OCD lesions of the knee. Future studies with consistent methodology are necessary to draw major conclusions about the histology and progression of OCD lesions. Inconsistent histologic findings have resulted in a lack of consensus regarding the presence of osteonecrosis, whether the necrosis is primary or secondary, the association of cartilage degeneration, and the etiology of OCD. Such studies could use a standardized grading system to allow better comparison of findings.     

Collagen biosynthesis of mechanically loaded articular cartilage explants

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate systematically the effect of load amplitudes, frequencies and load durations of intermittently applied mechanical pressure on the biosynthesis of collagen and non-collagenous proteins (NCP) as well as on the water content of cultured bovine articular cartilage explants. METHODS: Cyclic compressive pressure was applied using a sinusoidal waveform of 0.5 Hz frequency with a peak stress of 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 MPa for a period of 10s followed by a load-free period of 10, 100 or 1000s. These intermittent loading protocols were repeated for a total duration of 1, 3 or 6 days. During the final 18 h of experiments, the incorporation of [(3)H]-proline into collagen and NCP, the content of water as well as the deformation of loaded explants were determined. RESULTS: Intermittently applied, cyclic mechanical loading of articular cartilage explants consistently reduced the relative rate of collagen synthesis compared to load-free conditions. This reduced proportion of newly synthesized collagen among newly made proteins was independent of the mechanical stimuli applied. The release of newly synthesized collagen and NCP from loaded explants into the nutrient media was unaffected by any of the loading protocols applied. In addition, quantitative data are provided showing that only high amplitudes of loads and frequencies enhanced the water content of the explants. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies reporting that osteoarthritic cartilage in vivo can synthesize elevated amounts of collagen imply that the loading protocols chosen were inadequate for simulating in vitro osteoarthritic-like alterations of collagen synthesis. In our experiments the collagen biosynthesis of chondrocytes was only minor responsive to alterations in mechanical stimuli, applied over a wide range. Thus, our results imply that the synthesis of these structural macromolecules is under the strict control of normal chondrocytes enabling them to maintain the shape of this physical demanded tissue.     

MR imaging of BioCartilage augmented microfracture surgery utilizing 2D MOCART and KOOS scores

Objectives

BioCartilage is a novel scaffold-based microfracture augmentation technique that has been shown to aid in chondrogenic differentiation of adult progenitor cells resulting in formation of more hyaline-like cartilage. As this cartilage repair technique becomes more commonplace, it is essential that the musculoskeletal radiologist and orthopedic surgeon gain familiarity with the surgical technique and its post-operative MR imaging findings.

Synchrotron MicroCT Reveals the Potential of the Dual Contrast Technique for Quantitative Assessment of Human Articular Cartilage Composition

Dual contrast micro computed tomography (CT) shows potential for detecting articular cartilage degeneration. However, the performance of conventional CT systems is limited by beam hardening, low image resolution (full-body CT), and long acquisition times (conventional microCT). Therefore, to reveal the full potential of the dual contrast technique for imaging cartilage composition we employ the technique using synchrotron microCT. We hypothesize that the above-mentioned limitations are overcome with synchrotron microCT utilizing monochromatic X-ray beam and fast image acquisition. Human osteochondral samples (n = 41, four cadavers) were immersed in a contrast agent solution containing two agents (cationic CA4+ and non-ionic gadoteridol) and imaged with synchrotron microCT at an early diffusion time point (2 h) and at diffusion equilibrium (72 h) using two monochromatic X-ray energies (32 and 34 keV). The dual contrast technique enabled simultaneous determination of CA4+ (i.e., proteoglycan content) and gadoteridol (i.e., water content) partitions within cartilage. Cartilage proteoglycan content and biomechanical properties correlated significantly (0.327 < r < 0.736, p < 0.05) with CA4+ partition in superficial and middle zones at both diffusion time points. Normalization of the CA4+ partition with gadoteridol partition within the cartilage significantly (p < 0.05) improved the detection sensitivity for human osteoarthritic cartilage proteoglycan content, biomechanical properties, and overall condition (Mankin, Osteoarthritis Research Society International, and International Cartilage Repair Society grading systems). The dual energy technique combined with the dual contrast agent enables assessment of human articular cartilage proteoglycan content and biomechanical properties based on CA4+ partition determined using synchrotron microCT. Additionally, the dual contrast technique is not limited by the beam hardening artifact of conventional CT systems. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 38:563–573, 2020     

Does radiofrequency ablation (RFA) epiphysiodesis affect adjacent joint cartilage?

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that epiphysiodesis made with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe procedure that disrupts the growth plate without damaging the adjacent joint articular cartilage.

Methods

RFA epiphysiodesis was done during 8 min in vivo in 40 growing pig tibia physis. In addition, three tibiae were ablated for 16 min and three more for 24 min. As a burned cartilage reference, six tibiae were ablated on the joint articular cartilage for 8 min. After the procedure, the animals were terminated and the tibiae were harvested. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done ex vivo to evaluate the joint articular cartilage in all samples. We used T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and water content sequences under a 1.5 T magnetic field.

Results

On the burned articular cartilage, intensity changes were observed at MRI. We found no evidence of articular cartilage damage on the 40 8-min RFA procedures. The tibiae ablated for 16 min and 24 min showed intact joint cartilage.

Conclusions

Epiphysiodesis using RFA is safe for the adjacent articular cartilage. This study shows that RFA can be done safely in the growing physis of pigs, even with triple duration procedures.

     

Dual contrast in computed tomography allows earlier characterization of articular cartilage over single contrast

Cationic computed tomography contrast agents are more sensitive for detecting cartilage degeneration than anionic or non-ionic agents. However, osteoarthritis-related loss of proteoglycans and increase in water content contrarily affect the diffusion of cationic contrast agents, limiting their sensitivity. The quantitative dual-energy computed tomography technique allows the simultaneous determination of the partitions of iodine-based cationic (CA4+) and gadolinium-based non-ionic (gadoteridol) agents in cartilage at diffusion equilibrium. Normalizing the cationic agent partition at diffusion equilibrium with that of the non-ionic agent improves diagnostic sensitivity. We hypothesize that this sensitivity improvement is also prominent during early diffusion time points and that the technique is applicable during contrast agent diffusion. To investigate the validity of this hypothesis, osteochondral plugs (d = 8 mm, N = 33), extracted from human cadaver (n = 4) knee joints, were immersed in a contrast agent bath (a mixture of CA4+ and gadoteridol) and imaged using the technique at multiple time points until diffusion equilibrium. Biomechanical testing and histological analysis were conducted for reference. Quantitative dual-energy computed tomography technique enabled earlier determination of cartilage proteoglycan content over single contrast. The correlation coefficient between human articular cartilage proteoglycan content and CA4+ partition increased with the contrast agent diffusion time. Gadoteridol normalized CA4+ partition correlated significantly (P < .05) with Mankin score at all time points and with proteoglycan content after 4 hours. The technique is applicable during diffusion, and normalization with gadoteridol partition improves the sensitivity of the CA4+ contrast agent.     

Long-term changes in bone and cartilage after Ravitch's thoracoplasty: findings from multislice computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction

Background/Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term changes in the bones, cartilage, and chest wall contour after a Ravitch's thoracoplasty (RTP) using multislice computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction (3D-MSCT).

Methods

Between 1985 and 2000, 114 patients with pectus excavatum (PE) underwent RTP in our hospital; 3D-MSCT was performed in 36 patients 4 to 18 years after the initial operation. Twenty-four patients with PE with no surgical intervention were enrolled as a control group.

Results

Partial or complete calcification of the regenerated cartilage was found in 23 (64%) of the patients. Threadlike regenerated cartilage or the complete absence of some segment was seen in 14 cases (39%). Clubbing of the bony end was found in 23 cases (64%). Shortening of the gap between the rib end and the sternum (n = 17, 47%) and “constrict-in” of the ribs (n = 13, 36%) were common after RTP. In the control group, no significant bone or cartilage change occurred compared to the RTP group.

Conclusions

Modern 3D-MSCT technology can clearly depict the cartilage and bone in patients with PE. More than 60% of the patients with PE showed significant long-term changes in the bone and cartilage after RTP. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of these abnormal findings.