Transport distraction osteogenesis with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 for large calvarial defect reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Transport distraction osteogenesis (TDO) has been used in attempts to treat large calvarial defects but has, until now, lacked consistency and reliability. To achieve sufficient bone formation, the effect of TDO was compared to the effect of TDO combined with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). METHODS: Fourteen dogs were divided into 2 groups; 6 animals in the control group received TDO only, and 8 received TDO combined with rhBMP-2. A calvarial defect 33 × 35 mm in size was generated, and the drug-delivering internal distractor was applied. After a 5-day latency period, distraction with rhBMP-2 at 10 µg/day was initiated at a rate of 2 mm/day. This was followed by a consolidation period of 3 months, after which areas of osteogenesis and strength were measured and histologic examinations were conducted. RESULTS: The average area of osteogenesis was higher in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Regenerated bone of the experimental group showed increased strength (P < 0.05). Histological examination showed typical mature bone in the experimental group. Prominent osteoblastic rimming was observed in the bone marrow of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: TDO with an internal distraction device delivering rhBMP-2 can enhance bone regeneration of large calvarial defects in a dog model. These results suggest the potential for human clinical testing of TDO combined with rhBMP-2.

Transport disc distraction osteogenesis for the reconstruction of a calvarial defect.

PURPOSE: According to previous reports about the experimental study of transport disk distraction osteogenesis (TDDO) for the reconstruction of bone defects, TDDO showed great feasibility of successful bone regeneration. However, those studies had some limitations in their design and analysis of the results, either. In this report, we intended to verify the effect of TDDO in the reconstruction of skull defects with a combined result of distraction osteogenesis and bone graft of transported disk (TD). METHODS: Six female dogs were operated on and were given a 35×15-mm bilateral skull defect. In the experimental group, TDDO with internal distractors (7×14-mm TD) was performed. On the other side, in the control group, the bone defects were left to heal naturally. The distraction was performed from the postoperative fifth day at a rate of 1 mm/d. The distraction progressed for 14 days, and then the TD was maintained in the middle of the bone defect area. The 40% of the original bone defect area was left the same as the control side. The TD was expected to be survived as a bone graft during the consolidation period. After 3½ months of a consolidation period, the remained bone defects were measured by three-dimensional computed tomography. The solidity of the new bone was compared with the bone tissue of the normal skull bone. RESULTS: In the study group, the new bone formation was estimated to be 62.3% (SD, 25.1%) of the defect area, and in the control group, it was 44.8% (SD, 27.3%). The difference between the 2 groups was significant (P=0.04). The solidity of the newly generated bone by TDDO was not different from the normal skull (P=0.74). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the concept of TDDO and bone graft seemed to promote new bone formation. The role of the TD could include bone regeneration from distraction osteogenesis as well as autogenous bone graft, although it needs more investigation. The relationship between the duration of distraction and the positive role of the TD as an autogenous bone graft in TDDO for better clinical application may be investigated.

Effect of input waveform pattern and large blood vessel existence on destruction of liver tumor using radiofrequency ablation: finite element analysis.

Much research has been directed at improving the effectiveness of the radiofrequency (RF) ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas. In that point of view, this study was performed to provide comprehensive information of the relation between RF waveforms and thermodynamic response of the tissue with the consideration of four different types of RF waveforms (half-sine, half-square, half-exponential, and damped-sine) to maximize the amount of tumor tissue removed while maintaining the advantages of RF ablation. For the aim of this study, finite element models incorporating results from previous numerical models were used and validated with ex vivo experiments. From analyses of the entire results, we concluded that this study may prove valuable as a first step in providing comprehensive information of the relation between various RF waveforms and thermodynamic responses within the tissue during the RF ablation process. This study may also contribute toward studies to determine an optimum RF waveform capable of maximizing the amount of tumor tissue removed while maintaining the advantages of RF ablation.

Transport disc distraction osteogenesis for the reconstruction of a calvarial defect.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of bone defects is possible through distraction osteogenesis using small bone transport discs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of transport disc distraction osteogenesis (TDDO) in the reconstruction of skull defects in an animal experiment. METHODS: Eleven mongrel female dogs were used. Craniectomy (33 x 15 mm) was performed on both sides of the parietal bone symmetrically. On the experimental site, the 7 x 15-mm transport bone disc was used for TDDO. The control site was left in the defect state. An external distraction device was used. The latency period was 5 days, the rate of distraction was 1 mm/d, and distraction was done for 26 days. After a 6-month consolidation period, a computed tomographic scan was performed. The area of regenerated bone was measured from the computed tomographic scan. The hardness was checked on the regenerated bone and the normal bone. A histologic examination of the regenerated bone was done. RESULT: Eight cases were included in the evaluation, and 3 cases were excluded because they showed early escape of the distraction device. The mean (SD) area of the regenerated bone was 57.1% (26.3) in the experimental site and 41.8% (21.3) in the control site, which was not a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The mean (SD) hardness was 0.50 (0.17) MPa in the experiment site and 0.55 (0.29) MPa in the normal calvarial bone; the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). On histologic examination, membranous ossification was found in the regenerated bone in the experimental site. CONCLUSIONS: Transport disc distraction osteogenesis can induce new bone formation with hardness comparable to that of a normal bone. However, the amount of regenerated bone is not sufficient to allow TDDO to be substituted for conventional autogenous bone grafts.

Low-intensity ultrasound stimulation prevents osteoporotic bone loss in young adult ovariectomized mice.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass, increased bone fragility, and a greater risk for bone fracture. Currently, pharmacological intervention can generally aid in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, but these therapies are often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Therefore, alternative therapies that minimize side effects are necessary. Biophysical stimuli, especially low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (LIUS), may be potential alternatives to drug-based therapies for osteoporosis. Hence, we sought to address whether LIUS therapy can effectively prevent or treat osteoporotic bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. LIUS (1.5 MHz frequency, 1.0 kHz pulse repetition on frequency, 30 mW/cm(2) intensity, 200 µs pulse length) was applied to right tibiae of eight 14-week-old ovariectomized virgin ICR female mice for 20 min per day, 5 days per week, over a 6-week period. Changes in 3D structural bone characteristics were detected using in vivo micro-computed tomography. Left tibiae served as controls. Structural characteristics including bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number, trabecular bone pattern factor, and mean polar moment inertia were significantly enhanced 6 weeks after LIUS compared to the control, nonstimulated group (p < 0.05). In particular, the bone volume/tissue volume in the region exposed directly to LIUS was significantly higher in the treated group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that new bone formation may be activated or that bone structure may be maintained by LIUS, and that LIUS may be effective for preventing estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.

Evaluation of the potential clinical application of low-intensity ultrasound stimulation for preventing osteoporotic bone fracture.

This study evaluated the possible clinical application of low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) stimulation for preventing osteoporotic bone fracture. Eight virgin 14-week-old ICR mice (weight 24.0 +/- 0.7 g) were ovariectomized to induce osteoporosis. The right hind limbs (US limbs) were stimulated with LIUS, whereas the left hind limbs (CON limbs) were not stimulated. LIUS was applied for 20 min a day, 5 days a week over a 6-week period using the following parameters: 1.5 MHz frequency, 1.0 kHz pulse repetition, 30 mW/cm(2) intensity, and 200 mus pulse length. The effective structural modulus increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the US limbs over time with the increased bone quantity, whereas that in CON limbs remained statistically constant (p > 0.05). In addition, the elastic modulus in the US limbs was generally enhanced by an increased bone quality, compared with the CON limbs. Therefore, LIUS stimulation may effectively reduce the risk of osteoporotic bone fracture by increasing the mechanical characteristics of bone via improvements in both the effective structural and elastic modulus of the osteoporotic bone. In conclusion, LIUS may potentially prove very effective clinically for preventing osteoporotic bone fractures.

Mechanical properties of blood-mixed polymethylmetacrylate in percutaneous vertebroplasty.

STUDY DESIGN: Mechanical study of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) mixed with blood as a filler. PURPOSE: An attempt was made to modify the properties of PMMA to make it more suitable for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The expected mechanical changes by adding a filler into PMMA included decreasing the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature and setting time. These changes in PMMA were considered to be more suitable and adaptable conditions in PVP for an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. METHODS: Porous PMMA were produced by mixing 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4) and 6 ml (B6) of blood as a filler with 20 g of regular PMMA. The mechanical properties were examined and compared with regular PMMA(R) in view of the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature, setting time and optimal passing-time within an injectable viscosity (20-50 N-needed) through a 2.8 mm-diameter cement-filler tube. The porosity was examined using microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: The Young's modulus decreased from 919.5 MPa (R) to 701.0 MPa (B2), 693.5 Mpa (B4), and 545.6 MPa (B6). The polymerization temperature decreased from 74.2 (R) to 59.8 (B2), 54.2 (B4) and 47.5 (B6). The setting time decreased from 1,065 seconds (R) to 624 seconds (B2), 678 seconds (B4), and 606 seconds (B6), and the optimal passing-time decreased from 75.6 seconds (R) to 46.6 seconds (B2), 65.0 seconds (B4), and 79.0 seconds (B6). The porosity increased from 4.2% (R) to 27.6% (B2), 27.5% (B4) and 29.5% (B6). A homogenous microstructure with very fine pores was observed in all blood-mixed PMMAs. CONCLUSIONS: Blood is an excellent filler for PMMA. Group B6 showed more suitable mechanical properties, including a lower elastic modulus due to the higher porosity, less heating and retarded optimal passing-time by the serum barrier, which reduced the level of friction between PMMA and a cement-filler tube.