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Nazari AR. Simulation of cancer progression in bone by a virtual thermal flux with a case study on lumbar vertebrae with multiple myeloma. Med Eng Phys 2024; 126:104147. [PMID: 38621839 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two main problems examining the mechanism of cancer progression in the tissues using the computational models are lack of enough knowledge on the effective factors for such events in vivo environments and lack of specific parameters in the available computational models to simulate such complicated reactions. METHODS In this study, it was tried to simulate the progression of cancerous lesions in the bone tissues by an independent parameter from the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the tissues, so to degrade the orthotropic mechanical properties of the bone tissues, a virtual temperature was determined to be used by a well-known framework for simulation of damages in the composite materials. First, the reliability of the FE model to simulate hyperelastic response in the intervertebral discs (IVDs) and progressive failure in the bony components were verified by simulation of some In-Vitro tests, available in the literature. Then, the progression of the osteolytic damage was simulated in a clinical case with multiple myeloma in the lumbar vertebrae. RESULTS The FE model could simulate stress-shielding and diffusion of lesion in the posterior elements of the damaged vertebra which led to spinal stenosis. The load carrying shares associated with the anterior half and the posterior half of the examined vertebral body and the posterior elements were estimated equal to 41 %, 47 % and 12 %, respectively for the intact condition, that changed to 14 %, 16 % and 70 %, when lesion occupied one third of the vertebral body. CONCLUSION Correlation of the FE results with the deformation shapes, observed in the MRIs for the clinical case study, indicated appropriateness of the procedure, proposed for simulation of the progressive osteolytic damage in the vertebral segments. The future studies may follow simulation of tumor growth for various metastatic tissues using the method, established here.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Nazari
- Department of Civil Engineering, Technical & Vocational University, Tehran, Iran; Biomechanics Research Lab, Technical & Vocational University, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Palanca M, Cavazzoni G, Dall'Ara E. The role of bone metastases on the mechanical competence of human vertebrae. Bone 2023:116814. [PMID: 37257631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Spine is the most common site for bone metastases. The evaluation of the mechanical competence and failure location in metastatic vertebrae is a biomechanical and clinical challenge. Little is known about the failure behaviour of vertebrae with metastatic lesions. The aim of this study was to use combined micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) and time-lapsed mechanical testing to reveal the failure location in metastatic vertebrae. Fifteen spine segments, each including a metastatic and a radiologically healthy vertebra, were tested in compression up to failure within a microCT. Volumetric strains were measured using Digital Volume Correlation. The images of undeformed and deformed specimens were overlapped to identify the failure location. Vertebrae with lytic metastases experienced the largest average compressive strains (median ± standard deviation: -8506 ± 4748microstrain), followed by the vertebrae with mixed metastases (-7035 ± 15605microstrain), the radiologically healthy vertebrae (-5743 ± 5697microstrain), and the vertebrae with blastic metastases (-3150 ± 4641microstrain). Strain peaks were localised within and nearby the lytic lesions or around the blastic tissue. Failure between the endplate and the metastasis was identified in vertebrae with lytic metastases, whereas failure localised around the metastasis in vertebrae with blastic lesions. This study showed for the first time the role of metastases on the vertebral internal deformations. While lytic lesions lead to failure of the metastatic vertebra, vertebrae with blastic metastases are more likely to induce failure in the adjacent vertebrae. Nevertheless, every metastatic lesion affects the vertebral deformation differently, making it essential to assess how the lesion affects the bone microstructure. These results suggest that the properties of the lesion (type, size, location within the vertebral body) should be considered when developing clinical tools to predict the risk of fracture in patients with metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cavazzoni
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Anderson DE, Groff MW, Flood TF, Allaire BT, Davis RB, Stadelmann MA, Zysset PK, Alkalay RN. Evaluation of Load-To-Strength Ratios in Metastatic Vertebrae and Comparison With Age- and Sex-Matched Healthy Individuals. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:866970. [PMID: 35992350 PMCID: PMC9388746 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.866970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrae containing osteolytic and osteosclerotic bone metastases undergo pathologic vertebral fracture (PVF) when the lesioned vertebrae fail to carry daily loads. We hypothesize that task-specific spinal loading patterns amplify the risk of PVF, with a higher degree of risk in osteolytic than in osteosclerotic vertebrae. To test this hypothesis, we obtained clinical CT images of 11 cadaveric spines with bone metastases, estimated the individual vertebral strength from the CT data, and created spine-specific musculoskeletal models from the CT data. We established a musculoskeletal model for each spine to compute vertebral loading for natural standing, natural standing + weights, forward flexion + weights, and lateral bending + weights and derived the individual vertebral load-to-strength ratio (LSR). For each activity, we compared the metastatic spines' predicted LSRs with the normative LSRs generated from a population-based sample of 250 men and women of comparable ages. Bone metastases classification significantly affected the CT-estimated vertebral strength (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). Post-test analysis showed that the estimated vertebral strength of osteosclerotic and mixed metastases vertebrae was significantly higher than that of osteolytic vertebrae (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0003) or vertebrae without radiographic evidence of bone metastasis (p = 0.0010 and p = 0.0003). Compared with the median (50%) LSRs of the normative dataset, osteolytic vertebrae had higher median (50%) LSRs under natural standing (p = 0.0375), natural standing + weights (p = 0.0118), and lateral bending + weights (p = 0.0111). Surprisingly, vertebrae showing minimal radiographic evidence of bone metastasis presented significantly higher median (50%) LSRs under natural standing (p < 0.0001) and lateral bending + weights (p = 0.0009) than the normative dataset. Osteosclerotic vertebrae had lower median (50%) LSRs under natural standing (p < 0.0001), natural standing + weights (p = 0.0005), forward flexion + weights (p < 0.0001), and lateral bending + weights (p = 0.0002), a trend shared by vertebrae with mixed lesions. This study is the first to apply musculoskeletal modeling to estimate individual vertebral loading in pathologic spines and highlights the role of task-specific loading in augmenting PVF risk associated with specific bone metastatic types. Our finding of high LSRs in vertebrae without radiologically observed bone metastasis highlights that patients with metastatic spine disease could be at an increased risk of vertebral fractures even at levels where lesions have not been identified radiologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis E. Anderson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael W. Groff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thomas F. Flood
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brett T. Allaire
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roger B. Davis
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marc A. Stadelmann
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philippe K. Zysset
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ron N. Alkalay
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Osteolytic vs. Osteoblastic Metastatic Lesion: Computational Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior in the Human Vertebra after Screws Fixation Procedure. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102850. [PMID: 35628977 PMCID: PMC9144065 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic lesions compromise the mechanical integrity of vertebrae, increasing the fracture risk. Screw fixation is usually performed to guarantee spinal stability and prevent dramatic fracture events. Accordingly, predicting the overall mechanical response in such conditions is critical to planning and optimizing surgical treatment. This work proposes an image-based finite element computational approach describing the mechanical behavior of a patient-specific instrumented metastatic vertebra by assessing the effect of lesion size, location, type, and shape on the fracture load and fracture patterns under physiological loading conditions. A specific constitutive model for metastasis is integrated to account for the effect of the diseased tissue on the bone material properties. Computational results demonstrate that size, location, and type of metastasis significantly affect the overall vertebral mechanical response and suggest a better way to account for these parameters in estimating the fracture risk. Combining multiple osteolytic lesions to account for the irregular shape of the overall metastatic tissue does not significantly affect the vertebra fracture load. In addition, the combination of loading mode and metastasis type is shown for the first time as a critical modeling parameter in determining fracture risk. The proposed computational approach moves toward defining a clinically integrated tool to improve the management of metastatic vertebrae and quantitatively evaluate fracture risk.
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Palanca M, Oliviero S, Dall'Ara E. MicroFE models of porcine vertebrae with induced bone focal lesions: Validation of predicted displacements with digital volume correlation. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 125:104872. [PMID: 34655942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The evaluation of the local mechanical behavior as a result of metastatic lesions is fundamental for the characterization of the mechanical competence of metastatic vertebrae. Micro finite element (microFE) models have the potential of addressing this challenge through laboratory studies but their predictions of local deformation due to the complexity of the bone structure compromized by the lesion must be validated against experiments. In this study, the displacements predicted by homogeneous, linear and isotropic microFE models of vertebrae were validated against experimental Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) measurements. Porcine spine segments, with and without mechanically induced focal lesions, were tested in compression within a micro computed tomography (microCT) scanner. The displacement within the bone were measured with an optimized global DVC approach (BoneDVC). MicroFE models of the intact and lesioned vertebrae, including or excluding the growth plates, were developed from the microCT images. The microFE and DVC boundary conditions were matched. The displacements measured by the DVC and predicted by the microFE along each Cartesian direction were compared. The results showed an excellent agreement between the measured and predicted displacements, both for intact and metastatic vertebrae, in the middle of the vertebra, in those cases where the structure was not loaded beyond yield (0.69 < R2 < 1.00). Models with growth plates showed the worst correlations (0.02 < R2 < 0.99), while a clear improvement was observed if the growth plates were excluded (0.56 < R2 < 1.00). In conclusion, these simplified models can predict complex displacement fields in the elastic regime with high reliability, more complex non-linear models should be implemented to predict regions with high deformation, when the bone is loaded beyond yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Sara Oliviero
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Confavreux CB, Follet H, Mitton D, Pialat JB, Clézardin P. Fracture Risk Evaluation of Bone Metastases: A Burning Issue. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225711. [PMID: 34830865 PMCID: PMC8616502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Major progress has been achieved to treat cancer patients and survival has improved considerably, even for stage-IV bone metastatic patients. Locomotive health has become a crucial issue for patient autonomy and quality of life. The centerpiece of the reflection lies in the fracture risk evaluation of bone metastasis to guide physician decision regarding physical activity, antiresorptive agent prescription, and local intervention by radiotherapy, surgery, and interventional radiology. A key mandatory step, since bone metastases may be asymptomatic and disseminated throughout the skeleton, is to identify the bone metastasis location by cartography, especially within weight-bearing bones. For every location, the fracture risk evaluation relies on qualitative approaches using imagery and scores such as Mirels and spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS). This approach, however, has important limitations and there is a need to develop new tools for bone metastatic and myeloma fracture risk evaluation. Personalized numerical simulation qCT-based imaging constitutes one of these emerging tools to assess bone tumoral strength and estimate the femoral and vertebral fracture risk. The next generation of numerical simulation and artificial intelligence will take into account multiple loadings to integrate movement and obtain conditions even closer to real-life, in order to guide patient rehabilitation and activity within a personalized-medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille B. Confavreux
- Centre Expert des Métastases Osseuses (CEMOS), Département de Rhumatologie, Institut de Cancérologie des Hospices Civils de Lyon (IC-HCL), Hôpital Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69310 Pierre Bénite, France
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (H.F.); (J.B.P.); (P.C.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, LYOS UMR1033, 69008 Lyon, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Helene Follet
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (H.F.); (J.B.P.); (P.C.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, LYOS UMR1033, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - David Mitton
- Université de Lyon, Université Gustave Eiffel, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LBMC, UMR_T 9406, 69622 Lyon, France;
| | - Jean Baptiste Pialat
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (H.F.); (J.B.P.); (P.C.)
- CREATIS, CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1294, INSA Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, 42000 Saint-Etienne, France
- Service de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69310 Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Philippe Clézardin
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (H.F.); (J.B.P.); (P.C.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, LYOS UMR1033, 69008 Lyon, France
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Palanca M, Barbanti-Bròdano G, Marras D, Marciante M, Serra M, Gasbarrini A, Dall'Ara E, Cristofolini L. Type, size, and position of metastatic lesions explain the deformation of the vertebrae under complex loading conditions. Bone 2021; 151:116028. [PMID: 34087385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone metastases may lead to spine instability and increase the risk of fracture. Scoring systems are available to assess critical metastases, but they lack specificity, and provide uncertain indications over a wide range, where most cases fall. The aim of this work was to use a novel biomechanical approach to evaluate the effect of lesion type, size, and location on the deformation of the metastatic vertebra. METHOD Vertebrae with metastases were identified from 16 human spines from a donation programme. The size and position of the metastases, and the Spine Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) were evaluated from clinical Quantitative Computed Tomography images. Thirty-five spine segments consisting of metastatic vertebrae and adjacent healthy controls were biomechanically tested in four different loading conditions. The strain distribution over the entire vertebral bodies was measured with Digital Image Correlation. Correlations between the features of the metastasis (type, size, position and SINS) and the deformation of the metastatic vertebrae were statistically explored. RESULTS The metastatic type (lytic, blastic, mixed) characterizes the vertebral behaviour (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.04). In fact, the lytic metastases showed more critical deformation compared to the control vertebrae (average: 2-fold increase, with peaks of 14-fold increase). By contrast, the vertebrae with mixed or blastic metastases did not show a clear trend, with deformations similar or lower than the controls. Once the position of the lytic lesion with respect to the loading direction was taken into account, the size of the lesion was significantly correlated with the perturbation to the strain distribution (r2 = 0.72, p < 0.001). Conversely, the SINS poorly correlated with the mechanical evidence, and only in case of lytic lesions (r2 = 0.25, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION These results highlight the relevance of the size and location of the lytic lesion, which are marginally considered in the current clinical scoring systems, in driving the spinal biomechanical instability. The strong correlation with the biomechanical evidence indicates that these parameters are representative of the mechanical competence of the vertebra. The improved explanatory power compared to the SINS suggests including them in future guidelines for the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Daniele Marras
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Marciante
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Serra
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Alkalay RN, Groff MW, Stadelmann MA, Buck FM, Hoppe S, Theumann N, Mektar U, Davis RB, Hackney DB. Improved estimates of strength and stiffness in pathologic vertebrae with bone metastases using CT-derived bone density compared with radiographic bone lesion quality classification. J Neurosurg Spine 2021; 36:113-124. [PMID: 34479191 DOI: 10.3171/2021.2.spine202027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the ability of 1) CT-derived bone lesion quality (classification of vertebral bone metastases [BM]) and 2) computed CT-measured volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) for evaluating the strength and stiffness of cadaver vertebrae from donors with metastatic spinal disease. METHODS Forty-five thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were obtained from cadaver spines of 11 donors with breast, esophageal, kidney, lung, or prostate cancer. Each vertebra was imaged using microCT (21.4 μm), vBMD, and bone volume to total volume were computed, and compressive strength and stiffness experimentally measured. The microCT images were reconstructed at 1-mm voxel size to simulate axial and sagittal clinical CT images. Five expert clinicians blindly classified the images according to bone lesion quality (osteolytic, osteoblastic, mixed, or healthy). Fleiss' kappa test was used to test agreement among 5 clinical raters for classifying bone lesion quality. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used to test the difference in vertebral strength and stiffness based on bone lesion quality. Multivariable regression analysis was used to test the independent contribution of bone lesion quality, computed vBMD, age, gender, and race for predicting vertebral strength and stiffness. RESULTS A low interrater agreement was found for bone lesion quality (κ = 0.19). Although the osteoblastic vertebrae showed significantly higher strength than osteolytic vertebrae (p = 0.0148), the multivariable analysis showed that bone lesion quality explained 19% of the variability in vertebral strength and 13% in vertebral stiffness. The computed vBMD explained 75% of vertebral strength (p < 0.0001) and 48% of stiffness (p < 0.0001) variability. The type of BM affected vBMD-based estimates of vertebral strength, explaining 75% of strength variability in osteoblastic vertebrae (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.0001) but only 41% in vertebrae with mixed bone metastasis (R2 = 0.41, p = 0.0168), and 39% in osteolytic vertebrae (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.0381). For vertebral stiffness, vBMD was only associated with that of osteoblastic vertebrae (R2 = 0.44, p = 0.0024). Age and race inconsistently affected the model's strength and stiffness predictions. CONCLUSIONS Pathologic vertebral fracture occurs when the metastatic lesion degrades vertebral strength, rendering it unable to carry daily loads. This study demonstrated the limitation of qualitative clinical classification of bone lesion quality for predicting pathologic vertebral strength and stiffness. Computed CT-derived vBMD more reliably estimated vertebral strength and stiffness. Replacing the qualitative clinical classification with computed vBMD estimates may improve the prediction of vertebral fracture risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron N Alkalay
- 1Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Michael W Groff
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc A Stadelmann
- 3ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern
| | | | - Sven Hoppe
- 5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern; and
| | - Nicolas Theumann
- 6Clinique Bois-Cerf, Radiology Department, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - David B Hackney
- 9Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston
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A novel approach to evaluate the effects of artificial bone focal lesion on the three-dimensional strain distributions within the vertebral body. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251873. [PMID: 34061879 PMCID: PMC8168867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The spine is the first site for incidence of bone metastasis. Thus, the vertebrae have a high potential risk of being weakened by metastatic tissues. The evaluation of strength of the bone affected by the presence of metastases is fundamental to assess the fracture risk. This work proposes a robust method to evaluate the variations of strain distributions due to artificial lesions within the vertebral body, based on in situ mechanical testing and digital volume correlation. Five porcine vertebrae were tested in compression up to 6500N inside a micro computed tomography scanner. For each specimen, images were acquired before and after the application of the load, before and after the introduction of the artificial lesions. Principal strains were computed within the bone by means of digital volume correlation (DVC). All intact specimens showed a consistent strain distribution, with peak minimum principal strain in the range -1.8% to -0.7% in the middle of the vertebra, demonstrating the robustness of the method. Similar distributions of strains were found for the intact vertebrae in the different regions. The artificial lesion generally doubled the strain in the middle portion of the specimen, probably due to stress concentrations close to the defect. In conclusion, a robust method to evaluate the redistribution of the strain due to artificial lesions within the vertebral body was developed and will be used in the future to improve current clinical assessment of fracture risk in metastatic spines.
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Alkalay RN, Adamson R, Miropolsky A, Davis RB, Groff ML, Hackney DB. Large Lytic Defects Produce Kinematic Instability and Loss of Compressive Strength in Human Spines: An in Vitro Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2021; 103:887-899. [PMID: 33755638 PMCID: PMC9167060 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.19.00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with spinal metastases, kinematic instability is postulated to be a predictor of pathologic vertebral fractures. However, the relationship between this kinematic instability and the loss of spinal strength remains unknown. METHODS Twenty-four 3-level thoracic and lumbar segments from 8 cadaver spines from female donors aged 47 to 69 years were kinematically assessed in axial compression (180 N) and axial compression with a flexion or extension moment (7.5 Nm). Two patterns of lytic defects were mechanically simulated: (1) a vertebral body defect, corresponding to Taneichi model C (n = 13); and (2) the model-C defect plus destruction of the ipsilateral pedicle and facet joint, corresponding to Taneichi model E (n = 11). The kinematic response was retested, and compression strength was measured. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test the effect of each model on the kinematic response of the segment. Multivariable linear regression was used to test the association between the kinematic parameters and compressive strength of the segment. RESULTS Under a flexion moment, and for both models C and E, the lesioned spines exhibited greater flexion range of motion (ROM) and axial translation than the control spines. Both models C and E caused lower extension ROM and greater axial, sagittal, and transverse translation under an extension moment compared with the control spines. Two-way repeated-measures analysis revealed that model E, compared with model C, caused significantly greater changes in extension and torsional ROM under an extension moment, and greater sagittal translation under a flexion moment. For both models C and E, greater differences in flexion ROM and sagittal translation under a flexion moment, and greater differences in extension ROM and in axial and transverse translation under an extension moment, were associated with lower compressive strength of the lesioned spines. CONCLUSIONS Critical spinal lytic defects result in kinematic abnormalities and lower the compressive strength of the spine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This experimental study demonstrates that lytic foci degrade the kinematic stability and compressive strength of the spine. Understanding the mechanisms for this degradation will help to guide treatment decisions that address inferred instability and fracture risk in patients with metastatic spinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron N. Alkalay
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R.N.A. and R.A.), Division of General Medicine (R.B.D.), and Department of Radiology (D.B.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert Adamson
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R.N.A. and R.A.), Division of General Medicine (R.B.D.), and Department of Radiology (D.B.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Roger B. Davis
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R.N.A. and R.A.), Division of General Medicine (R.B.D.), and Department of Radiology (D.B.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mike L. Groff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David B. Hackney
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R.N.A. and R.A.), Division of General Medicine (R.B.D.), and Department of Radiology (D.B.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Whyne CM, Ferguson D, Clement A, Rangrez M, Hardisty M. Biomechanical Properties of Metastatically Involved Osteolytic Bone. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2020; 18:705-715. [PMID: 33074529 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-020-00633-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Skeletal metastasis involves the uncoupling of physiologic bone remodeling resulting in abnormal bone turnover and radical changes in bony architecture, density, and quality. Bone strength assessment and fracture risk prediction are critical in clinical treatment decision-making. This review focuses on bone tissue and structural mechanisms altered by osteolytic metastasis and the resulting changes to its material and mechanical behavior. RECENT FINDINGS Both organic and mineral phases of bone tissue are altered by osteolytic metastatic disease, with diminished bone quality evident at multiple length-scales. The mechanical performance of bone with osteolytic lesions is influenced by a combination of tissue-level and structural changes. This review considers the effects of osteolytic metastasis on bone biomechanics demonstrating its negative impact at tissue and structural levels. Future studies need to assess the cumulative impact of cancer treatments on metastatically involved bone quality, and its utility in directing multimodal treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari M Whyne
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Dallis Ferguson
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Allison Clement
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mohammedayaz Rangrez
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Hardisty
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Stadelmann MA, Schenk DE, Maquer G, Lenherr C, Buck FM, Bosshardt DD, Hoppe S, Theumann N, Alkalay RN, Zysset PK. Conventional finite element models estimate the strength of metastatic human vertebrae despite alterations of the bone's tissue and structure. Bone 2020; 141:115598. [PMID: 32829037 PMCID: PMC9206866 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pathologic vertebral fractures are a major clinical concern in the management of cancer patients with metastatic spine disease. These fractures are a direct consequence of the effect of bone metastases on the anatomy and structure of the vertebral bone. The goals of this study were twofold. First, we evaluated the effect of lytic, blastic and mixed (both lytic and blastic) metastases on the bone structure, on its material properties, and on the overall vertebral strength. Second, we tested the ability of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements and standard FE methodologies to predict the strength of real metastatic vertebral bodies. METHODS Fifty-seven vertebral bodies from eleven cadaver spines containing lytic, blastic, and mixed metastatic lesions from donors with breast, esophageal, kidney, lung, or prostate cancer were scanned using micro-computed tomography (μCT). Based on radiographic review, twelve vertebrae were selected for nanoindentation testing, while the remaining forty-five vertebrae were used for assessing their compressive strength. The μCT reconstruction was exploited to measure the vertebral BMC and to establish two finite element models. 1) a micro finite element (μFE) model derived at an image resolution of 24.5 μm and 2) homogenized FE (hFE) model derived at a resolution of 0.98 mm. Statistical analyses were conducted to measure the effect of the bone metastases on BV/TV, indentation modulus (Eit), ratio of plastic/total work (WPl/Wtot), and in vitro vertebral strength (Fexp). The predictive value of BMC, μFE stiffness, and hFE strength were evaluated against the in vitro measurements. RESULTS Blastic vertebral bodies exhibit significantly higher BV/TV compared to the mixed (p = 0.0205) and lytic (p = 0.0216) vertebral bodies. No significant differences were found between lytic and mixed vertebrae (p = 0.7584). Blastic bone tissue exhibited a 5.8% lower median Eit (p< 0.001) and a 3.3% lower median Wpl/Wtot (p<0.001) compared to non-involved bone tissue. No significant differences were measured between lytic and non-involved bone tissues. Fexp ranged from 1.9 to 13.8 kN, was strongly associated with hFE strength (R2=0.78, p< 0.001) and moderately associated with BMC (R2=0.66, p< 0.001) and μFE stiffness (R2=0.66, p< 0.001), independently of the lesion type. DISCUSSION Our findings show that tumour-induced osteoblastic metastases lead to slightly, but significantly lower bone tissue properties compared to controls, while osteolytic lesions appear to have a negligible impact. These effects may be attributed to the lower mineralization and woven nature of bone forming in blastic lesions whilst the material properties of bone in osteolytic vertebrae appeared little changed. The moderate association between BMC- and FE-based predictions to fracture strength suggest that vertebral strength is affected by the changes of bone mass induced by the metastatic lesions, rather than altered tissue properties. In a broader context, standard hFE approaches generated from CTs at clinical resolution are robust to the lesion type when predicting vertebral strength. These findings open the door for the development of FE-based prediction tools that overcomes the limitations of BMC in accounting for shape and size of the metastatic lesions. Such tools may help clinicians to decide whether a patient needs the prophylactic fixation of an impending fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Stadelmann
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Denis E Schenk
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghislain Maquer
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Lenherr
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian M Buck
- University of Zurich & MRI Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dieter D Bosshardt
- Robert K. Schenk Laboratory of Oral Histology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sven Hoppe
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | | | - Ron N Alkalay
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Philippe K Zysset
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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Distribution of Young's modulus at various sampling points in a human lumbar spine vertebral body. Spine J 2020; 20:1861-1875. [PMID: 32592901 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Mathematical modeling for creating computer spine models is one of the basic methods underlying many scientific publications. The accuracy of strength parameters of tissues introduced into such models translates directly into the reliability of obtained results. Experimental determination of Young's modulus (E) in various areas of spongy bone tissue seems to be crucial for creating a reliable spine model without excessive simplifications in the form of a single E value for the whole vertebral body. PURPOSE The aim of the study was to determine Young's modulus in different parts of the lumbar vertebral column for samples subjected to compression and bending. STUDY DESIGN Cylindrical spongy bone tissue samples were subjected to bending and compression strength tests. METHODS The study included 975 pathologically unchanged samples of spongy bone tissue harvested from the lumbar vertebrae of 15 male donors. The samples were subjected to compression or bending strength tests and then Young's modulus was determined for each sample depending on its location in the vertebral body. The samples were tested differently between given locations within one vertebra as well as between vertebrae. RESULTS Compressed specimens are characterized by highly significantly different Young's modulus values depending on the location in the vertebral body. Samples No. 7 and No. 9 in the anterior part of the vertebral body have highly significantly higher Young's modulus values compared to those in the posterior part of the vertebral body for all lumbar vertebrae. Samples subjected to bending showed significant differences (p<.05) between samples located closer to the vertebral canal (No.16, No.17) and samples located further away (No.14, No.15) with higher values for the samples located in the posterior part of the vertebral body. CONCLUSIONS Accommodating the anisotropic structure of spongy bone in computer models and the application of different Young's module values for areas within one vertebral body will allow one to obtain realistic results of computer simulations used. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Determining the exact strength parameters of spongy bone tissue within one vertebra and changes in these properties in subsequent vertebrae will allow to create more accurate computer models of the lumbar spine and the whole spine. This, in turn, will translate into more reliable computer simulations used, among others, to determine the risk of fractures or osteoporotic changes, or simulation of the procedure of spinal fusion.
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Costa M, Campello LB, Ryan M, Rochester J, Viceconti M, Dall'Ara E. Effect of size and location of simulated lytic lesions on the structural properties of human vertebral bodies, a micro-finite element study. Bone Rep 2020; 12:100257. [PMID: 32551335 PMCID: PMC7292861 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2020.100257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score system is used in clinics to evaluate the risk of fracture in patients with spinal metastases. This method, however, does not always provide a clear guideline due to the complexity in accounting for the effect of metastatic lesions on vertebral stability. The aim of this study was to use a validated micro Finite Element (microFE) modelling approach to analyse the effect of the size and location of lytic metastases on the mechanical properties of human vertebral bodies. Micro Computed Tomography based microFE models were generated with and without lytic lesions simulated as holes within a human vertebral body. Single and multiple lytic lesions were simulated with four different sizes and in five different locations. Bone was assumed homogenous, isotropic and linear elastic, and each vertebra was loaded in axial compression. It was observed that the size of lytic lesions was linearly related with the reduction in structural properties of the vertebral body (reduction of stiffness between 3% and 30% for lesion volume between 4% and 35%). The location of lytic lesions did not show a clear effect on predicted structural properties. Single or multiple lesions with the same volume provided similar results. Locally, there was a homogeneous distribution of axial principal strains among the models with and without lytic lesions. This study highlights the potential of microFE models to study the effect of lesions on the mechanical properties of the human vertebral body. MicroFE models can show the effect of lytic lesions on vertebral properties. The size of the lesions was more critical than the location of the lesions. Lesions affecting the cortical shell had a larger effect on the local strains. Multiple lesions showed a similar effect to single lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.C. Costa
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
| | | | - M. Ryan
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - J. Rochester
- Academic Unit of Medical Education, Medical School, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - M. Viceconti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
- Medical Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Dall'Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
- Corresponding author at: The Pam Liversidge Building, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK.
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Costa M, Eltes P, Lazary A, Varga P, Viceconti M, Dall’Ara E. Biomechanical assessment of vertebrae with lytic metastases with subject-specific finite element models. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2019; 98:268-290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Watson SL, Weeks BK, Weis LJ, Harding AT, Horan SA, Beck BR. High-intensity exercise did not cause vertebral fractures and improves thoracic kyphosis in postmenopausal women with low to very low bone mass: the LIFTMOR trial. Osteoporos Int 2019; 30:957-964. [PMID: 30612163 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-018-04829-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Our aim was to assess risk of vertebral fracture during high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) for postmenopausal women with low bone mass. HiRIT did not induce vertebral fracture, as evidenced by a reduction in kyphosis following 8 months of training and a lack of change in vertebral morphology. INTRODUCTION The LIFTMOR trial demonstrated a novel, HiRIT program notably improved bone mass in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis. While no clinical signs or symptoms of vertebral crush fracture were evident during the trial, anecdotal feedback suggests that concerns about safety of HiRIT in the osteoporosis demographic remain. The aim of the current work was to assess vertebral body morphology, Cobb angle, and clinical measures of thoracic kyphosis in participants in the LIFTMOR trial for evidence of vertebral fracture following 8 months of supervised HiRIT. METHODS Participants were randomized to either 8 months of 30-min, twice-weekly, supervised HiRIT or unsupervised, low-intensity, home-based exercise (CON). Lateral thoracolumbar DXA scans (Medix DR, Medilink, France) were performed at baseline and follow-up. Cobb angle was determined, and vertebral fracture identification was performed using the semiquantitative Genant method. Clinical kyphosis measurements were performed in relaxed standing (neutral posture) and standing tall using an inclinometer and a flexicurve. RESULTS The HiRIT group exhibited a reduction in inclinometer-determined standing tall thoracic kyphosis compared to CON (- 6.7 ± 8.2° vs - 1.6 ± 8.1°, p = 0.031). Both the HiRIT and CON groups exhibited within-group improvement in kyphosis in relaxed standing as measured by both inclinometer and flexicurve (p < 0.05). There were no changes in vertebral fracture classification in the HiRIT group post-intervention. A single, new, wedge deformity was observed for CON. CONCLUSIONS Supervised HiRIT was not associated with an increased risk of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Indeed, a clinically relevant improvement in thoracic kyphosis was observed following 8 months of supervised HiRIT, further supporting its efficacy as an osteoporosis intervention for postmenopausal women with low to very low bone mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Watson
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - B K Weeks
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - L J Weis
- The Bone Clinic, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - A T Harding
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - S A Horan
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - B R Beck
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
- The Bone Clinic, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Ogurkowska MB, Błaszczyk A. Variation in human vertebral body strength for vertebral body samples from different locations in segments L1-L5. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2018; 60:66-75. [PMID: 30326319 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human spine, in particular the lumbar spine, is subject to significant compressive and bending stresses, which affect the structure of the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The more heterogeneous the structure of the spongy bone tissue, the less resistant the whole vertebral body. It is therefore necessary to establish variations in bone strength parameters within one particular vertebral body. METHODS The research material comprised human L1-L5 lumbar vertebrae sampled from 15 donors aged 29-35. A total of 975 samples prepared from the collected material were subjected to compressive and bending strength tests. The samples for the tests were collected from carefully selected locations in order to discover the strength properties of various parts of the vertebral body. FINDINGS In the case of sample 2 (located in the posterior part of the vertebra, at mid-height) the stress values were the lowest and there were statistically significant differences compared to other samples. Moreover the value of compressive force in this case was lower for vertebrae with higher numbers. Top and bottom samples demonstrated statistically significant higher mean values of destructive stress. In terms of the bending strength test, the mean value of destructive stress in all lumbar vertebrae for all samples increased for vertebrae with higher numbers. INTERPRETATION The spongy tissue in healthy vertebral bodies has a very heterogeneous structure. This may be due to the presence of the nutrient canal and the arc structure allowing more springy movement and improved transfer of loads by the vertebral body.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Ogurkowska
- Department of Biomechanics, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland.
| | - A Błaszczyk
- Department of Biomechanics, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland.
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Palanca M, Barbanti-Bròdano G, Cristofolini L. The Size of Simulated Lytic Metastases Affects the Strain Distribution on the Anterior Surface of the Vertebra. J Biomech Eng 2018; 140:2686534. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic lesions of the vertebra are associated with risk of fracture, which can be disabling and life-threatening. In the literature, attempts are found to identify the parameters that reduce the strength of a metastatic vertebra leading to spine instability. However, a number of controversial issues remain. Our aim was to quantify how the strain distribution in the vertebral body is affected by the presence and by the size of a simulated metastatic defect. Five cadaveric thoracic spine segments were subjected to non-destructive presso-flexion while intact, and after simulation of metastases of increasing size. For the largest defect, the specimens were eventually tested to failure. The full-field strain distribution in the elastic range was measured with digital image correlation (DIC) on the anterior surface of the vertebral body. The mean strain in the vertebra remained similar to the intact when the defects were smaller than 30% of the vertebral volume. The mean strains became significantly larger than in the intact for larger defects. The map of strain and its statistical distribution indicated a rather uniform condition in the intact vertebra and with defects smaller than 30%. Conversely, the strain distribution became significantly different from the intact for defects larger than 30%. A strain peak appeared in the region of the simulated metastasis, where fracture initiated during the final destructive test. This is a first step in understanding how the features of metastasis influence the vertebral strain and for the construction of a mechanistic model to predicted fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Terracini 24-28, Bologna 40131, Italy e-mail:
| | - Giovanni Barbanti-Bròdano
- Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Via G.C. Pupilli 1, Bologna 40136, Italy e-mail:
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Terracini 24-28, Bologna 40131, Italy e-mail:
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Alkalay R, Adamson R, Miropolsky A, Hackney D. Female Human Spines with Simulated Osteolytic Defects: CT-based Structural Analysis of Vertebral Body Strength. Radiology 2018; 288:436-444. [PMID: 29869960 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2018171139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate a CT structural analysis protocol (SAP) for estimating the strength of human female cadaveric spines with lytic lesions. Materials and Methods Osteolytic foci was created in the middle vertebra of 44 thoracic and lumbar three-level segments from 11 female cadavers (age range, 50-70 years). The segments underwent CT by using standard clinical protocol and their failure strength was assessed at CT SAP. The spines were mechanically tested to failure in pure axial compression or in compression with torsion. The relationships of defect size, bone mineral density, and predicted failure load (at CT SAP) with measured vertebral strength were assessed with linear regression. Analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to evaluate the effect of region and mechanical test on spine strength. Results With axial compression, CT SAP predictions of vertebral strength correlated with the thoracic (r = 0.84; P < .001) and lumbar (r = 0.85; P < .001) segment-measured strength. Bone mineral density correlated with the lumbar (r = 0.64; P = .003) and thoracic (r, 0.51; P = .050) strength. At compression with torsion, CT SAP predictions of strength were moderately correlated with vertebral strength (r = 0.66; P = .018). At compression with torsion, bone mineral density was not correlated with spinal strength (thoracic and lumbar: r = 0.31 and r = 0.26, respectively; P = .539 and .610, respectively). The lytic focus size (range, 28%-41%) was not associated with vertebral strength. Conclusion CT SAP assessment of strength in vertebrae with lytic lesions correlated with the measured strength of female vertebral bodies. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Alkalay
- From the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R. Alkalay, R. Adamson, A.M.), and Department of Radiology (D.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Robert Adamson
- From the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R. Alkalay, R. Adamson, A.M.), and Department of Radiology (D.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Alexander Miropolsky
- From the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R. Alkalay, R. Adamson, A.M.), and Department of Radiology (D.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
| | - David Hackney
- From the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (R. Alkalay, R. Adamson, A.M.), and Department of Radiology (D.H.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
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Groenen KH, Janssen D, van der Linden YM, Kooloos JG, Homminga J, Verdonschot N, Tanck E. Inducing targeted failure in cadaveric testing of 3-segment spinal units with and without simulated metastases. Med Eng Phys 2018; 51:104-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Zhang C, Han X, Douglas P, Dai Y, Wang G. Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Spinal Tumors: The Effect of the Posterior Vertebral Cortex Defect on Temperature Distribution in the Spinal Canal. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017; 39:E1-E2. [PMID: 29146717 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Zhang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin, China
| | - X Han
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin, China
| | - P Douglas
- Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Y Dai
- Institute of Robotics and Automatic Information System Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University Tianjin, China
| | - G Wang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin, China
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Alkalay RN, Harrigan TP. Mechanical assessment of the effects of metastatic lytic defect on the structural response of human thoracolumbar spine. J Orthop Res 2016; 34:1808-1819. [PMID: 26748564 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the effects of a clinical lytic defect on the structural response of human thoracolumbar functional spinal unit. A novel CT-compatible mechanical test system was used to image the deformation of a T12-L1 motion segment and measure the change in strain response under compressive loads ranging from 50 to 750 N. A lytic lesion (LM) with cortex involvement (33% by volume) was introduced to the upper vertebral body and the CT experiments were repeated. Finite element models, established from the CT volumes, were used to investigate the defect's effects on the structural response and the state of principal and shear stresses within the affected and adjacent vertebrae. The lytic lesion resulted in severe loss of the vertebral structural competence, resulting in significant, non-linear, and asymmetric increase in the experimentally measured strains and computed stresses within both vertebrae (p < 0.01). At the cortex, the tensile strains were significantly increased, while compressive strains significantly decreased, (p < 0.05). Both the vertebral bone and cortex regions adjacent to the defect showed significant increase in computed compressive, tensile, and shear stresses (p < 0.01). Changes in stress and strain distribution within the affected and adjacent vertebral bone and the experimentally observed bulging and buckling of the vertebral cortices suggested that initiation of catastrophic vertebral failure may occur under load magnitudes encountered in daily living. Although the effect of LM on the global deformation of the spine was well-predicted, our results show that FE predictions of local strain changes must be carefully assessed for clinical relevance. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1808-1819, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron N Alkalay
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215.
| | - Timothy P Harrigan
- Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road Laurel, Maryland, 20723
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Augmentation of failed human vertebrae with critical un-contained lytic defect restores their structural competence under functional loading: An experimental study. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2015; 30:608-16. [PMID: 25912639 PMCID: PMC9198947 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lytic spinal lesions reduce vertebral strength and may result in their fracture. Vertebral augmentation is employed clinically to provide mechanical stability and pain relief for vertebrae with lytic lesions. However, little is known about its efficacy in strengthening fractured vertebrae containing lytic metastasis. METHODS Eighteen unembalmed human lumbar vertebrae, having simulated uncontained lytic defects and tested to failure in a prior study, were augmented using a transpedicular approach and re-tested to failure using a wedge fracture model. Axial and moment based strength and stiffness parameters were used to quantify the effect of augmentation on the structural response of the failed vertebrae. Effects of cement volume, bone mineral density and vertebral geometry on the change in structural response were investigated. FINDINGS Augmentation increased the failed lytic vertebral strength [compression: 85% (P<0.001), flexion: 80% (P<0.001), anterior-posterior shear: 95%, P<0.001)] and stiffness [(40% (P<0.05), 53% (P<0.05), 45% (P<0.05)]. Cement volume correlated with the compressive strength (r(2)=0.47, P<0.05) and anterior-posterior shear strength (r(2)=0.52, P<0.05) and stiffness (r(2)=0.45, P<0.05). Neither the geometry of the failed vertebrae nor its pre-fracture bone mineral density correlated with the volume of cement. INTERPRETATION Vertebral augmentation is effective in bolstering the failed lytic vertebrae compressive and axial structural competence, showing strength estimates up to 50-90% of historical values of osteoporotic vertebrae without lytic defects. This modest increase suggests that lytic vertebrae undergo a high degree of structural damage at failure, with strength only partially restored by vertebral augmentation. The positive effect of cement volume is self-limiting due to extravasation.
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