Can ultrasound predict histological findings in regenerated cartilage?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate regenerated articular cartilage quantitatively by introducing an ultrasonic probe into the knee joint under arthroscopy and analysing the A-mode echogram by means of wavelet transformation.


METHODS
Three experimental rabbit models (spontaneous repair model, large cartilage defect model, treatment model) were examined using our ultrasonic evaluation system and a histological grading scale. From resulting wavelet map, the percentage of maximum magnitude was selected as the quantitative index of the ultrasonic evaluation system.


RESULTS
The percentage maximum magnitude in the spontaneous repair model was 61.1%, that in the large defect model was 29.8% and that in the treatment model was 36.3%. There was modest correlation between the percentage maximum magnitude and the histological grading scale (r = -0.594)


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that ultrasound analysis can predict the microstructure of regenerated cartilage.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijyo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan. hattori@naramed-u.ac.jp
K
K
Hattori
Y
Y
Takakura
Y
Y
Morita
M
M
Takenaka
K
K
Uematsu
K
K
Ikeuchi
D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D006614:Hindlimb; D023421:Models, Animal; D010521:Periosteum / Q000637:transplantation; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014463:Ultrasonography