Effects of intraarticular contrast media on synovial membrane and cartilage. An electron microscopic evaluation in rabbit knees.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the histological and ultrastructural alterations in rabbit knee joint cartilage and synovia induced by intraarticular injections of 2 water soluble contrast agents.


METHODS
The study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey in January 2002. To examine the effect of contrast agents on articular cartilage and synovial membrane, rabbit model was used. Specimens from 62 knee joints were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy one hour, one day, one week and 2 weeks after intraarticular administration of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, iopromide or saline.


RESULTS
In the knees injected with saline, light microscopic changes of the synovium consisted of edema only. Edema and hyperemia were seen in contrast agent injected knees. Ultrastructurally, numerous and large pinocytotic vesicles in A cells of the synovial membrane were seen in contrast agent injected groups. In the knees injected with saline the cartilage were ultrastructurally normal but contrast agent injected knees showed increased activation of chondrocytes with increase of dense glycogen accumulation, large lipid vacuoles and matrix material. There were very rare pycnotic cells in these samples. The rating scale has been used and the means of the total scores were determined for the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of contrast agents reduced gradually on the cartilage and synovium in general but did not become completely normal in the observation period.
Kose
Nusret
N
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Meselik, Eskisehir 26480, Turkey. nkose@ogu.edu.tr
Inan
Ulukan
U
Baycu
Cengiz
C
Omeroglu
Hakan
H
Seber
Sinan
S
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA