title: Quantitative assessment of intravascular volume of the human Achilles tendon.
abstract: The pathogenesis of Achilles tendon rupture remains unclear, but vascular patterns may play an important role. We determined the intravascular volume of the Achilles tendon using a new method with injection of radioisotopes. A solution of Tc-99m and gelatin-ink was injected into the lower limbs of body donors. The intravascular volume of each 1 cm section of the Achilles tendon was measured using a gamma well counter. We found that the distal part of the Achilles tendon (0-2 cm above the calcaneus) had an intravascular volume of 59-98 microL/g tendon tissue. In the middle part of the tendon (3-6 cm above the calcaneal insertion), the intravascular volume was much less: 2743 microL/g tissue. The proximal part of the tendon (7-9 cm) had an intravascular volume between 51-100 microL/g tendon tissue. The reduced vascularization in the middle part of the human Achilles tendon may play a role in degeneration and spontaneous rupture of the tendon.
authors.affiliation: Lubinusklinik, Hospital for Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laprell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tinnemeyer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001810:Blood Volume; D002244:Carbon; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; C028433:chinese ink; D013667:Technetium; D002244:Carbon