title: A new animal model of femoral head necrosis induced by intraosseous injection of ethanol.
abstract: There is no reliable animal model of the early stages of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) for the evaluation of new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we propose a new animal model of femoral head osteonecrosis. Pure ethanol was injected into the centre of the femoral head in adult Merino sheep under fluoroscopic control. After 3, 6 and 12 weeks the animals were killed and the femoral heads were harvested. Microradiographic and histological changes were analysed and recorded. Partial necrosis was documented over a period of 12 weeks in all animals. The appearance of necrosis in combination with intact macrotexture, macrocirculation and joint cartilage is similar to the features described in early ONFH in humans. Due to its efficacy and its similarity to the early stages of ONFH in humans, this model may be suitable to evaluate new therapeutic techniques in the treatment of ONFH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manggold
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lukoschek
authors.forename: H-G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Simank
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005270:Femur Head / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D017148:Infusions, Intraosseous; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol