Inoue Satoshi, Mori Michinori, Yasui Masaya, Matsuki-Fukushima Miwako, Yoshimura Kentaro, Nonaka Naoko
Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
Department of Judo Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Care, Teikyo Heisei University, 2-51-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshimaku, Tokyo, Japan.
Bone Rep. 2024 Sep 23;23:101807. doi: 10.1016/j.bonr.2024.101807. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Fractures are common injuries and various imaging modalities are employed to diagnose and monitor bone union. However, the follow-up of fracture healing using ultrasound imaging (US) remains a topic of debate. In this study, we analyzed of fracture healing process and compared US and radiological analyses with histological analyses to clarify the characteristics and limitations of each modality.
An osteotomy model was created using the femur of Wistar rats, and US, radiological (radiography and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)), and histological analyses were performed. Radiological assessments were conducted for the evaluation of calcified tissue. The gap between the bony callus and cartilaginous callus was measured.
US effectively captured changes on the fracture surface, potentially reflecting the early healing processes. Both US and radiographic findings showed strong correlation in terms of the decrease in the bony callus gap. US was unable to distinguish cartilaginous callus from the surrounding soft tissue. During the remodeling stage, micro-CT offered a detailed assessment of the internal fracture surface, whereas US was limited to evaluating the outer bone surface and lacked accuracy in visualizing the entire fracture site. Radiography provided a general overview of the fractures. The decrease in the bony callus gap measured using US correlated with the reduction in cartilaginous callus observed histologically.
This study demonstrated that US could be a valuable tool for evaluating fracture healing. Combining fracture management with US and radiological examinations may provide a more accurate assessment of healing progress.
骨折是常见损伤，多种成像方式用于诊断和监测骨愈合。然而，使用超声成像（US）对骨折愈合进行随访仍是一个有争议的话题。在本研究中，我们分析了骨折愈合过程，并将超声和放射学分析与组织学分析进行比较，以阐明每种方式的特点和局限性。
使用Wistar大鼠的股骨建立截骨模型，并进行超声、放射学（X线摄影和显微计算机断层扫描（micro-CT））及组织学分析。进行放射学评估以评价钙化组织。测量骨痂与软骨痂之间的间隙。
超声能有效捕捉骨折表面的变化，可能反映早期愈合过程。超声和X线摄影结果在骨痂间隙减小方面显示出强相关性。超声无法将软骨痂与周围软组织区分开。在重塑阶段，显微计算机断层扫描对骨折内部表面进行了详细评估，而超声仅限于评估骨外表面，在可视化整个骨折部位方面缺乏准确性。X线摄影提供了骨折的总体概况。使用超声测量的骨痂间隙减小与组织学观察到的软骨痂减少相关。
本研究表明，超声可能是评估骨折愈合的一种有价值的工具。将骨折处理与超声和放射学检查相结合可能会对愈合进展提供更准确的评估。
