Determination of knee joint cartilage thickness using three-dimensional magnetic resonance chondro-crassometry (3D MR-CCM)

The objective of this article was to analyze the accuracy and precision with which the quantitative distribution of articular cartilage can be determined in the knee joint using MRI. A three-dimensional (3D) technique that accounts for the out-of-plane deviation of the interface normal in strongly curved joint surfaces (3D MR-CCM) has been developed for cartilage thickness measurements. Eight cadaveric knee-joint specimens and six volunteers were imaged using a fat-suppressed gradient-echo sequence at a resolution of 2 x 0.31 x 0.31 mm3. Cartilage volumes and topographical thickness maps were obtained and compared with those derived from anatomical sections by image analysis. The deviation …

The influence of nimodipine on chromatolysis of motoneurons following axotomy with and without reinnervation: A quantitative image analysis

Using a recently developed image analysis method to quantify the time course of chromatolysis in injured motorneurons we tested the effect of the calcium entry blocker nimodipine (1000 ppm in food pellets) on regenerating and degenerating motoneurons. Following facial-facial, hypoglossal-hypoglossal anastomosis with complete regeneration and following facial and hypoglossal nerve resection which causes a partial neuronal degeneration and postoperative survival times of 4 to 112 days, the texture of the Nissl substance of facial and hypoglossal motoneurons was analyzed on both sides of the brainstem in paraffin serial sections with a VIDASplus image analyzer. Monitoring alterations of the Ni…

The use of texture analysis to study the time course of chromatolysis

Image analysis of the textural feature entropy of the Nissl substance was used to monitor the time course of chromatolysis in regenerating hypoglossal motoneurons and degenerating facial motoneurons 4-112 days after hypoglossal-facial anastomosis in rats. Changes in the Nissl substance were detected that were not obvious on the basis of subjective judgement of the light-microscopical appearance of the neurons. Chromatolysis started 4 days post operation (dpo) and was not reversed at 112 dpo in both nuclei. The increase of chromatolysis was 14-28 dpo faster in the regenerating hypoglossal neurons than in degenerating facial neurons. Maximal chromatolysis was measured at 56-70 dpo in both nuc…

Assessment of normal patellar cartilage volume and thickness using MRI: an analysis of currently available pulse sequences.

Objective. The objective of this study was to analyse the potential of magnetic resonance imaging for valid determination of patellar cartilage thickness, comparing currently available pulse sequences. Design. In six patients and one cadaver the cartilage was repetitively imaged employing three spin-echo and six three-dimensional gradient-echo sequences. In the cadaveric specimen the total volume and the regional distribution of cartilage thickness were assessed and compared with the values obtained from anatomical sections by image analysis. Results and conclusions. The FLASH and fat-suppressed FLASH sequences allowed the most accurate determination of the cartilage volume and thickness. F…

My life in Wittekind's lab.

Quantitative image analysis of the chromatolysis in rat facial and hypoglossal motoneurons following axotomy with and without reinnervation.

Image analysis was used to quantify the time course of chromatolysis in regenerating and degenerating motoneurons. Following facial-facial, hypoglossal-hypoglossal nerve suture, or resection of facial and hypoglossal nerves with postoperative survival times of 4 h to 112 days, the texture of the Nissl substance of facial and hypoglossal motoneurons was analyzed on both sides of the brainstem in paraffin serial sections with a VIDASplus image analyzer. In this quantitative study of 149 Wistar rats, alterations of the Nissl substance were measured that were statistically significant but not yet visible to the human eye. Chromatolysis started significantly as early as 8 h and was not fully rev…

Physiological incongruity of the humero-ulnar joint: a functional principle of optimized stress distribution acting upon articulating surfaces?

Investigations into the distribution of subchondral bone density in the human elbow have suggested that the geometry of the trochlear notch deviates from a perfect fit with the trochlea, and that the load is transmitted ventrally and dorsally rather than through the centre of the humero-ulnar joint. We therefore decided to make a quantitative assessment of the degree of incongruity between the two components in 15 human specimens (age distribution 60 to 93 years) with different types of joint surface. Polyether casts of the joint cavity were prepared under loads of 10, 40, 160 and 640 N. The thickness of the casts was then measured at 50 predetermined points, and an area distribution of the…

The distribution of cartilage thickness in the knee-joints of old-aged individuals -- measurement by A-mode ultrasound.

Abstract Objective. To provide data on the normal distribution of cartilage thickness in the knee joints of old-aged individuals. Design. The accuracy and reproducibility of cartilage thickness measurements were evaluated with A-mode ultrasound, and the cartilage thickness distribution was examined throughout both knee joints of nine individuals aged between 62 and 94 yr. Background. Data on the variation of cartilage thickness in the joint surfaces are relevant for the design of computer models of diathrodial joints and for surgical and arthroscopic procedures, particularly the calculation of cartilage material properties from indentation tests. Methods. A 12.5 MHz A-mode ultrasound transd…

Standardized staining methods: Feulgen-Rossenbeck reaction for desoxyribonucleic acid and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) procedure

A project group working under the European Confederation of Laboratory Medicine (ECLM) presents recommendations for standardized procedures for the Feulgen-Rossenbeck-Schiff and the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reactions on cytological and histological material. The advantages and disadvantages of such standardized procedures are presented here in a preamble. Both users and manufacturers are encouraged to give their opinions with a view to achieving consensus on these procedures and on how further work on these lines may proceed.

Repeatability of patellar cartilage thickness patterns in the living, using a fat-suppressed magnetic resonance imaging sequence with short acquisition time and three-dimensinal data processing

A fast, reproducible, and noninvasive method is required for quantifying cartilage thickness clinically and for studying the deformation of articular cartilage during and after mechanical loading in vivo. The objective of the current investigation was to test the repeatability of regional distribution patterns of patellar cartilage thickness in the living on the basis of a fat-suppressed magnetic resonance imaging sequence with a short acquisition time and three-dimensional digital data processing. The knees of eight healthy volunteers were transversally imaged with a fat-suppressed FLASH-3D (fast low angle shot) sequence (acquisition time: 4 minutes and 10 seconds). In each case, the joint…

Improving Biological Dyes and Stains: Quality Testing Versus Standardization

This paper discusses the impact of both standardization and quality testing of dyes and stains in biology and medicine. After the brief review of why standardized dyes and strains are not presently available commercially, two types of testing and ways of improving dye quality are described. National or international organizations could be established to define standardization of dyes and stains. Standardization would be specifically defined as a list of physico-chemical parameters such as elaborated in this paper. Commercial batches of comparable quality may be labeled by the supplier as "standard dye," a procedure currently performed by the European Council for Clinical and Laboratory Stan…

Magnetic resonance chondro-crassometry (MR CCM): a method for accurate determination of articular cartilage thickness?

A method for the assessment of articular cartilage thickness based on MRI is presented and its accuracy and reproducibility tested. Six specimens of human patellae were imaged, using a fat-suppressed FLASH 3D sequence, and sectioned with a high-precision band saw. The regional distribution of articular cartilage thickness was determined from the MR images and from the anatomical sections (intervals of 0.5 mm). With image analysis 50-90% of the image points were found to lie within exactly the same thickness interval in corresponding patterns, and less than 17% deviated more than 0.5 mm. More than 85% of all pixels were reproducible with MRI after new positioning of the joint. No influence o…

Non-invasive determination of cartilage thickness throughout joint surfaces using magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Data on articular cartilage thickness in the living are important for the design of computer models, aimed at preoperatively assessing the effect of surgical procedures on joint contact and load transmission, and for the calculation of cartilage material properties from its deformational behavior as determined during arthroscopy. A non-invasive method for measuring cartilage thickness in living subjects is, however, not available. A technique based on magnetic resonance imaging has therefore been tested for assessing articular cartilage thickness throughout joint surfaces. The accuracy is determined by comparing cartilage thickness maps obtained from three patellar specimens with a…

Morphomechanics of the humero-ulnar joint: I. Joint space width and contact areas as a function of load and flexion angle

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the trochlear notch is deeper than necessary for an exact fit with the humerus. However, humero-ulnar joint space width and contact areas have so far not been quantified for variations in the load and angle of flexion. METHODS Six fresh cadaveric specimens were investigated at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of flexion and at loads of 25 and 500 N, simulating resisted elbow extension. The joint space width and contact were determined, using polyether casting material. RESULTS At 25 N all joints made contact in the ventral and dorsal aspects of the articular surfaces, whereas in the depth of the trochlear notch the joint space w…