[Scanning electron microscopic characterization of resorption lacunae and perforations in the cancellous bone of the human femoral head].

UNLABELLED

STAND: Light microscopic investigation of histologic and grinding sections indicates structural differences by resorption lacunae and perforations

QUESTION

Is it possible to characterize different types of resorption lacunae and perforations on the basis of ultrastructural differences within them? AIM. Morphological characterization of resorption lacunae and perforations in cancellous bone of the human femoral head

METHODS

Samples from the femoral head of 28 patients without skeletal diseases were macerated, dried, gold sputtered and analysed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS. We were able to distinguish two types of resorptions lacunae as well as two types of perforation: The longitudinal extended resorption (LER), the reticulate patched resorption (RPR), the lacunar perforation (LP), the tunneling perforation (TP). Moreover we demarcate perforations from blood vessel canals.

CONCLUSION

The differentiated types of resorption lacunae and perforations suggest the influence of local factors which regulates osteoclastic activity or indicate different subspecies of osteoclasts.