title: In vivo experimental imaging of osteochondral defects and their healing using (99m)Tc-NTP 15-5 radiotracer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A rabbit model of osteochondral defects (OD) and spontaneous healing was longitudinally followed over 12 weeks, by in vivo joint scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-NTP 15-5, and histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used two models, one with one OD (OD1 group) in the femoral condyle of one knee and the other with two ODs (OD2 group) in the femoral condyle of one knee, with the contralateral knees serving as the reference. A serial longitudinal imaging study was performed with the scintigraphic ratio (SR, operated knee uptake/contralateral knee uptake) determined at each time-point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ODs were imaged as radioactive defects. The SR was decreased with respective to controls, with values of 0.73 ± 0.08 and 0.65 ± 0.07 in the OD1 and OD2 groups, respectively, at 4 weeks after surgery. Histology of both OD groups revealed the presence of repair tissue characterized by a small amount of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and collagen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (99m)Tc-NTP 15-5 imaging provided quantitative criteria useful for in vivo evaluation of cartilage trauma and healing.
authors.affiliation: UMR 990 INSERM, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. elisabeth.noirault@inserm.fr
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miot-Noirault
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guicheux
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auzeloux
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lesoeur
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cachin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Askienazy
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chezal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vinatier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; C407019:N-(triethylammonium)-3-propyl(15)ane-N5; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D003094:Collagen