TY - JOUR
T1 - The validation of computed tomography derived radiodensity measurements of bone healing using histopathology
AU - Davey, Jack Stewart
AU - Rotne, Randi
AU - Edwards, Glenn
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Background: The early identification of delayed bone healing or a non-union is vital for prompt treatment and superior patient outcomes. Current techniques rely heavily on operator skill for interpretation and hence their reliability and repeatability may be inconsistent. This study assessed the application of computed tomography (CT) derived densiometric measurements as a quantitative tool for the assessment of bone healing. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, method comparison study was performed using a recognised sheep tibial ostectomy model. Secondary bone healing was assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the ostectomy was performed. CT densiometric measures of bone healing (Hounsfield units) were taken of the cis, trans, cranial and caudal cortices relative to the bone plate, with histological measurements (percentage of ossification) sourced from the same areas. Cis cortical densiometric data points were excluded from analysis due to significant beam hardening artefact from the bone plate (P < 0.001). A univariable linear regression was performed on the remaining data using averaged radiodensity (independent variable) and histomorphometric (dependent variable) measurements. Results: The two measurements were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.623, P = 0.020) with a clear positive trend identified. Conclusion: This study suggests that radiodensity measurements may be a useful diagnostic and management tool for the monitoring of indirect bone healing.
AB - Background: The early identification of delayed bone healing or a non-union is vital for prompt treatment and superior patient outcomes. Current techniques rely heavily on operator skill for interpretation and hence their reliability and repeatability may be inconsistent. This study assessed the application of computed tomography (CT) derived densiometric measurements as a quantitative tool for the assessment of bone healing. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, method comparison study was performed using a recognised sheep tibial ostectomy model. Secondary bone healing was assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the ostectomy was performed. CT densiometric measures of bone healing (Hounsfield units) were taken of the cis, trans, cranial and caudal cortices relative to the bone plate, with histological measurements (percentage of ossification) sourced from the same areas. Cis cortical densiometric data points were excluded from analysis due to significant beam hardening artefact from the bone plate (P < 0.001). A univariable linear regression was performed on the remaining data using averaged radiodensity (independent variable) and histomorphometric (dependent variable) measurements. Results: The two measurements were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.623, P = 0.020) with a clear positive trend identified. Conclusion: This study suggests that radiodensity measurements may be a useful diagnostic and management tool for the monitoring of indirect bone healing.
KW - CT
KW - Histomorphometric
KW - Hounsfield units
KW - Imaging
KW - Ovine bone model
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85190307722&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85190307722&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111543
DO - 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111543
M3 - Article
C2 - 38604114
AN - SCOPUS:85190307722
SN - 0020-1383
VL - 55
JO - Injury
JF - Injury
IS - 6
M1 - 111543
ER -