A simple non invasive computerized method for the assessment of bone repair within osteoconductive porous bioceramic grafts.
Single energy X-ray imaging, due to its low cost and flexibility, is one of the most used and common technique to assess bone state and bone remodeling over time. Standardized X-ray images are needed to compare sets of radiographs for semi-quantitative analyses of tissue remodeling. However, useful mathematical modeling for the analysis of high level radiographic images are not easily available. In order to propose a useful evaluation tool to a wide clinical scenario, we present an innovative calibration algorithm for a semi-quantitative analysis of non-standardized digitized X-ray images. For calibration on a unique standardization scale, three time invariant regions (ROI) of radiographs were selected and analyzed. The accuracy of the normalization method for X-ray films was successfully validated by using an aluminum step wedge for routine X-ray exposures as tool to standardize serial radiographs (Pearson correlation test: R(2) = 0.96). This method was applied to investigate the progression of the new bone deposition within ceramic scaffolds used as osteoconductive substitute in large bone defects taking advantage of a large animal model. This innovative image-processing algorithm allowed the identification and semi-quantification of the bone matrix deposited within the implant. The osteo-integration at the bone-implant interface was also investigated. A progressively increasing bone tissue deposition within the porous bioceramic implant and a progressive osteo-integration was observed during the 12 months of the trial.
Beltrame
Francesco
F
Dip. Informatica, Sistemistica e Telematica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy.
Cancedda
Ranieri
R
Canesi
Barbara
B
Crovace
Antonio
A
Mastrogiacomo
Maddalena
M
Quarto
Rodolfo
R
Scaglione
Silvia
S
Valastro
Carmela
C
Viti
Federica
F
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002516:Ceramics; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D016348:Osseointegration; D016062:Porosity; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012756:Sheep; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018786:Bone Substitutes