title: [Visualisation of bioabsorbable suture anchors with digital projection radiography and magnetic resonance imaging].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last few years bioabsorbable suture anchors have become widely established along side metallic suture anchors in orthopaedic surgery. However, there are still some difficulties in evaluating the postoperative situation after implanting bioabsorbable suture anchors. The aim of this study was to examine the visualisation of bioabsorbable suture anchors with digital projection radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten Mitek-Anchor-Panalok® suture anchors made of polylactic acid were implanted in an ex-vivo animal study design. After implantation the specimens were examined with digital projection radiography and MRI. The analysis was performed with regard to the bony defects and the anchor material itself.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With digital projection radiography and MRI, it was possible to detect the bony defects after implantation of the anchors. The anchor material could not be visualised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study demonstrate that neither digital projection radiography nor MRI is well suited for the detection of the bioabsorbable suture anchors in the postoperative situation. Whereas the bony defects can be well described, the anchors cannot be directly visualised. The visualisation of bioabsorbable anchors remains a clinical problem in orthopaedic surgery.
authors.affiliation: MVZ-VITALIS, Orthopädisch-Chirurgisches Zentrum, Berlin. steckel@mvz-vitalis.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steckel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krönke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klinger
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015900:Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)