title: A scanning electron microscopy-based approach to quantify resorption lacunae applied to the trabecular bone of the femoral head.
abstract: Resorption lacunae (RL) are discussed as stressors that can increase the risk of mechanical failure in a trabecular network. Quantification of RL has previously been described through the parameter eroded surface/bone surface (ES/BS) as established by light microscopy (LM) analysis, but the results have been inconsistent and contradictory. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a new study design for quantitative evaluation is introduced. To test its applicability a pilot study was executed with trabecular bone dissected from a femoral head of 28 autopsy subjects (14 female and 14 male). A 2.4 x 2.8 x 1.0 mm sample was excised 1.5 cm below the joint surface of each specimen in coronal medial slices of the femoral head and examined. A virtual grid with 1050 squares superimposed over the generated SEM image allowed determination of the ratio of squares containing RL to squares with an unaffected trabecular surface (RL/U). Classical ES/BS was assessed in parallel sections of the samples. The SEM, and to a lesser extent the qualitative different LM analysis, indicated a gender independent predominance of RL in subjects older than 50 years. This pilot study suggests that the new study design could be useful for acquiring quantitative RL data.
authors.affiliation: Center of Clinical-Theoretical Medicine Institute of Bone Pathology/Center of Biomechanics, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestr. 59, D-22529, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gentzsch
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Junge
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pueschel
authors.forename: Guenter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delling
authors.forename: Edelgard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors