Titre du document / Document title

Biomechanical properties and vascularity of an anterior cruciate ligament graft can be predicted by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: A two-year study in sheep

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

WEILER Andreas ⁽¹⁾ ; PETERS Gunnar ⁽¹⁾ ; MÄURER Jürgen ⁽²⁾ ; UNTERHAUSER Frank N. ⁽¹⁾ ; SÜDKAMP Norbert P. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopy Service, Charité, Campus Virchow-Clinic, Humboldt-University of Berlin, ALLEMAGNE
⁽²⁾ Department of Radiology, Charité, Campus Virchow-Clinic, Humboldt-University of Berlin, ALLEMAGNE

Résumé / Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging has been used to determine graft integrity and study the remodeling process of anterior cruciate ligament grafts morphologically in humans. The goal of the present study was to compare graft signal intensity and morphologic characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging with biomechanical and histologic parameters in a long-term animal model. Thirty sheep underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with an autologous Achilles tendon split graft and were sacrificed after 6, 12, 24, 52, or 104 weeks. Before sacrifice, all animals underwent plain and contrast-enhanced (gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentacetic acid) magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T, proton density weighted, 2-mm sections) of their operated knees. The signal/noise quotient was calculated and data were correlated to the maximum load to failure, tensile strength, and stiffness of the grafts. The vascularity of the grafts was determined immunohistochemically by staining for endothelial cells (factor VIII). We found that high signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging reflects a decrease of mechanical properties of the graft during early remodeling. Correlation analyses revealed significant negative linear correlations between the signal/noise quotient and the load to failure, stiffness, and tensile strength. In general, correlations for contrast-enhanced measurements of signal intensity were stronger than those for plain magnetic resonance imaging. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that contrast medium enhancement reflects the vascular status of the graft tissue during remodeling. We conclude that quantitatively determined magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity may be a useful tool for following the graft remodeling process in a noninvasive manner.

Revue / Journal Title

American journal of sports medicine   ISSN 0363-5465   CODEN AJSMDO 

Source / Source

Congrès
Annual meeting of the AOSSM N^o26, Sun Valley, Idaho , ETATS-UNIS (06/2000)
2001, vol. 29, n^o6, pp. 751-761 (59 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Waltham, MA, ETATS-UNIS  (1976) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Medical imagery ; Surgery ; Graft ; Trauma ; Diseases of the osteoarticular system ; Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Ungulata ; Artiodactyla ; Sheep ; Ewe ; Animal ; Experimental study ; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging ; Vascularization ; Mechanical properties ; Predictive factor ; Tendon ; Homograft ; Treatment ; Lower limb ; Knee ; Anterior cruciate ligament ; Tissue rupture ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Imagerie médicale ; Chirurgie ; Greffe ; Traumatisme ; Système ostéoarticulaire pathologie ; Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Ungulata ; Artiodactyla ; Mouton ; Brebis ; Animal ; Etude expérimentale ; Imagerie RMN ; Vascularisation ; Propriété mécanique ; Facteur prédictif ; Tendon ; Homogreffe ; Traitement ; Membre inférieur ; Genou ; Ligament croisé antérieur ; Rupture tissu ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Imaginería médica ; Cirugía ; Injerto ; Traumatismo ; Sistema osteoarticular patología ; Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Ungulata ; Artiodactyla ; Carnero ; Oveja ; Animal ; Estudio experimental ; Imaginería RMN ; Vascularización ; Propiedad mecánica ; Factor predictivo ; Tendón ; Homoinjerto ; Tratamiento ; Miembro inferior ; Rodilla ; Ligamento cruzado anterior ; Ruptura tejido ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 17788, 35400010002112.0120