title: [Evaluation of cartilage degeneration by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS): methodical description and systematic literature review].
abstract: Damage to hyaline cartilage is the most important pathophysiological tool in                         the development of osteoarthritis. Cartilage lesions are the most frequent                         pathological findings during arthroscopic operations. Arthroscopies as well                         as magnetic resonance tomography are gold standards for detection of                         cartilage lesions. But the arthroscopic evaluation of cartilage lesions is                         descriptive and subjective only. The surgeon is able to differentiate                         between intact cartilage surface, softening, superficial or deep fissure or                         flake and finally a complete defect. In routine arthroscopy the grading                         mostly is made by use of different scores [e.g. ICRS (International                         Cartilage Repair Society), Outerbridge, Insall, Jäger-Wirth or others].                         Because the arthroscopic evaluation is subjective the reliability of this                         method is poor. Spectroscopic methods are established for evaluation of                         different tissue diseases in different indications. NIRS (near infrared                         spectroscopy) has become an important method for medical diagnostics in the                         last years. NIR is very energy-rich and suitable for glass fibre transport                         without relevant reduction. Insofar this technology may be ideal for                         endoscopic procedures. Our systematic literature review reveals that NIRS is                         a sufficient method for an objective diagnosis of cartilage lesions. In the                         current work we demonstrate an NIRS-based device for intraoperative,                         real-time cartilage evaluation. Furthermore, we discuss the possible                         clinical consequences from such measurements.
authors: Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Praxisklinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Eisenach. spahn@pk-eisenach.de
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Spahn
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Felmet
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Baumgarten
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Plettenberg
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hoffmann
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Klinger
authors: G O
authors: GO
authors: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*