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Pedersen LT, Miszkiewicz J, Cheah LC, Willis A, Domett KM. Age-dependent change and intraskeletal variability in secondary osteons of elderly Australians. J Anat 2024; 244:1078-1092. [PMID: 38238907 PMCID: PMC11095313 DOI: 10.1111/joa.14010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a need to fully understand intra-skeletal variability within different populations to develop and improve age-at-death estimation methods. This study evaluates age-related histomorphometric changes in three different bones intra-individually in a modern Australian sample. Four female and 13 male elderly Australian adult donors (67-93 years) were examined for osteon population density (OPD), osteon area (On.Ar), and Haversian canal area (H.Ar) of secondary osteons to compare between femora, ribs, and humeri and assess against age. In the pooled sex sample, no statistically significant correlations were observed between age and each histological variable. In the males, OPD of the femur increased significantly with age, as did porosity in the rib. In the male humeri, OPD increased moderately with age, while H.Ar was decreased moderately with age. Intra-bone comparisons showed that males had significantly higher osteon counts in their ribs compared to their femora, while their ribs showed statistically significantly less porosity than their humeri. When bone size was accounted for, by adjusting the femur and humerus histology data by robusticity indices, histology values were found to be similar between bones within the same individual. This is despite the upper and lower limbs receiving different ranges and types of biomechanical load. Our findings demonstrate that bone size influences histomorphometry, and this could confound age-at-death estimations that have not been adjusted for robusticity. Future studies would benefit from examining bone histomorphometry within a larger sample size and incorporating bone robusticity measures into histology analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucille T. Pedersen
- College of Medicine and DentistryJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - Lit Chien Cheah
- Division of Tropical Environments and SocietiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Anna Willis
- College of Arts, Society and EducationJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kate M. Domett
- College of Medicine and DentistryJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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Costa da Silva RG, Sun TC, Mishra AP, Boyde A, Doube M, Riggs CM. Intracortical remodelling increases in highly loaded bone after exercise cessation. J Anat 2024; 244:424-437. [PMID: 37953410 PMCID: PMC10862154 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Resorption within cortices of long bones removes excess mass and damaged tissue and increases during periods of reduced mechanical loading. Returning to high-intensity exercise may place bones at risk of failure due to increased porosity caused by bone resorption. We used point-projection X-ray microscopy images of bone slices from highly loaded (metacarpal, tibia) and minimally loaded (rib) bones from 12 racehorses, 6 that died during a period of high-intensity exercise and 6 that had a period of intense exercise followed by at least 35 days of rest prior to death, and measured intracortical canal cross-sectional area (Ca.Ar) and number (N.Ca) to infer remodelling activity across sites and exercise groups. Large canals that are the consequence of bone resorption (Ca.Ar >0.04 mm2 ) were 1.4× to 18.7× greater in number and area in the third metacarpal bone from rested than exercised animals (p = 0.005-0.008), but were similar in number and area in ribs from rested and exercised animals (p = 0.575-0.688). An intermediate relationship was present in the tibia, and when large canals and smaller canals that result from partial bony infilling (Ca.Ar >0.002 mm2 ) were considered together. The mechanostat may override targeted remodelling during periods of high mechanical load by enhancing bone formation, reducing resorption and suppressing turnover. Both systems may work synergistically in rest periods to remove excess and damaged tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsim Christopher Sun
- Sydney School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ambika Prasad Mishra
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public HealthCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong Kong
| | - Alan Boyde
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Michael Doube
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public HealthCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong Kong
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Drejer LA, El-Masri BM, Ejersted C, Andreasen CM, Thomsen LK, Thomsen JS, Andersen TL, Hansen S. Trabecular bone deterioration in a postmenopausal female suffering multiple spontaneous vertebral fractures due to a delayed denosumab injection - A post-treatment re-initiation bone biopsy-based case study. Bone Rep 2023; 19:101703. [PMID: 37576928 PMCID: PMC10412862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Denosumab, is a potent anti-resorptive that, increases bone mineral density, and reduces fracture risk in osteoporotic patients. However, several case studies have reported multiple vertebral fractures in patients discontinuing denosumab. Case presentation This case report describes a 64-year-old female with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with denosumab, who had her 11th injection delayed by 4 months. The patient suffered eight spontaneous vertebral fractures. After consent, an iliac crest bone biopsy was obtained following re-initiation of the denosumab treatment and analyzed by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. Results micro-computed tomography analysis revealed a low trabecular bone volume of 10 %, a low trabecular thickness of 97 μm, a low trabecular spacing of 546 μm, a high trabecular number of 1.8/mm, and a high structure model index of 2.2, suggesting trabecular thinning and loss of trabecular plates. Histomorphometric trabecular bone analysis revealed an eroded perimeter per bone perimeter of 33 % and an osteoid perimeter per bone perimeter of 62 %. Importantly, 88 % of the osteoid perimeter was immediately above an eroded-scalloped cement line with no sign of mineralization, and often with no clear bone-forming osteoblasts on the surface. Moreover, only 5 % of the bone perimeter was mineralizing, reflecting that only 8 % of the osteoid perimeter underwent mineralization, resulting in a mineralization lag time of 545 days. Taken together, this indicates limited bone formation and delayed mineralization. Conclusion We present a case report of multiple vertebral fractures after denosumab discontinuation with histomorphometric evidence that denosumab discontinuation leads to extensive trabecular bone resorption followed by a limited bone formation and delayed mineralization if the denosumab treatment is reinitiated. This highlights the importance of developing optimal discontinuation strategies for patients that are to discontinue treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Alstrup Drejer
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Bilal Mohamad El-Masri
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Ejersted
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Møller Andreasen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Koch Thomsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Levin Andersen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stinus Hansen
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
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van Dijk Christiansen P, Sikjær T, Andreasen CM, Thomsen JS, Brüel A, Hauge EM, Delaisse J, Rejnmark L, Andersen TL. Transitory Activation and Improved Transition from Erosion to Formation within Intracortical Bone Remodeling in Hypoparathyroid Patients Treated with rhPTH(1-84). JBMR Plus 2023; 7:e10829. [PMID: 38130746 PMCID: PMC10731115 DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In hypoparathyroidism, lack of parathyroid hormone (PTH) leads to low calcium levels and decreased bone remodeling. Treatment with recombinant human PTH (rhPTH) may normalize bone turnover. This study aimed to investigate whether rhPTH(1-84) continued to activate intracortical bone remodeling after 30 months and promoted the transition from erosion to formation and whether this effect was transitory when rhPTH(1-84) was discontinued. Cortical histomorphometry was performed on 60 bone biopsies from patients (aged 31 to 78 years) with chronic hypoparathyroidism randomized to either 100 μg rhPTH(1-84) a day (n = 21) (PTH) or similar placebo (n = 21) (PLB) for 6 months as add-on to conventional therapy. This was followed by an open-label extension, where patients extended their rhPTH(1-84) (PTH) (n = 5), continued conventional treatment (CON) (n = 5), or withdrew from rhPTH(1-84) and resumed conventional therapy (PTHw) for an additional 24 months (n = 8). Bone biopsies were collected at months 6 (n = 42) and 30 (n = 18). After 6 and 30 months, the overall cortical microarchitecture (cortical porosity, thickness, pore density, and mean pore diameter) in the PTH group did not differ from that of the PLB/CON and PTHw groups. Still, the PTH group had a significantly and persistently higher percentage of pores undergoing remodeling than the PLB/CON groups. A significantly higher percentage of these pores was undergoing bone formation in the PTH compared with the PLB/CON groups, whereas the percentage of pores with erosion only was not different. This resulted in a shift in the ratio between formative and eroded pores, reflecting a faster transition from erosion to formation in the PTH-treated patients. In the rhPTH(1-84) withdrawal group PTHw, the latter effects of PTH were completely reversed in comparison to those of the PLB/CON groups. In conclusion, rhPTH(1-84) replacement therapy in hypoparathyroidism patients promotes intracortical remodeling and its transition from erosion to formation without affecting the overall cortical microstructure. The effect persists for at least 30 months and is reversible when treatment is withdrawn. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille van Dijk Christiansen
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdenseDenmark
- Molecular Bone Histology (MBH) Lab, Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
| | - Tanja Sikjær
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Christina Møller Andreasen
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdenseDenmark
- Molecular Bone Histology (MBH) Lab, Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
| | | | | | - Ellen Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of RheumatologyAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
| | - Jean‐Marie Delaisse
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdenseDenmark
- Molecular Bone Histology (MBH) Lab, Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
| | - Lars Rejnmark
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Thomas Levin Andersen
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdenseDenmark
- Molecular Bone Histology (MBH) Lab, Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
- Molecular Bone Histology (MBH) Lab, Department of Forensic MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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5
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Welsh H, Brickley MB. Pathology or expected morphology? Investigating patterns of cortical porosity and trabecularization during infancy and early childhood. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:354-365. [PMID: 36116138 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Increased cortical porosity is associated with a heightened risk of skeletal fragility due to bone loss and structural decay in adults. However, few studies have examined the etiology of cortical porosity in infants and children. This study examines whether age-related changes in femoral growth and locomotor development influence femoral midshaft cortical porosity in a sample of 48 individuals (fetal to 3.99 years) from the 10th-13th century cemetery of St. Étienne de Toulouse, France. Histological sections were prepared and imaged using light microscopy. Midshaft geometric variables such as total area, cortical area, and pore area were calculated using BoneJ. Increased porosity and cortical trabecularization were found to be significantly associated with age, being almost exclusively present in individuals aged 0.5-1.99 years. At approximately 6 months of age infants typically begin engaging in regular femoral loading and experience an acceleration in growth. The observed increase in midshaft porosity and trabecularization, therefore, likely results from the reorganization and redistribution of cortical bone, stimulated by increased growth velocity and the onset of weight-bearing activities. The reduction in cortical porosity and trabecularization in individuals aged 2.0-3.99 years indicates that children are approaching some sort of homeostasis as growth velocity slows and their femora adapt to consistent loading. Understanding what expected skeletal development looks like is necessary when conducting bioarcheological studies and this study provides evidence for a pattern of transient midshaft porosity during infancy and early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Welsh
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan B Brickley
- Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Lamarche BA, Thomsen JS, Andreasen CM, Lievers WB, Andersen TL. 2D size of trabecular bone structure units (BSU) correlate more strongly with 3D architectural parameters than age in human vertebrae. Bone 2022; 160:116399. [PMID: 35364343 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bone tissue is continuously remodeled. In trabecular bone, each remodeling transaction forms a microscopic bone structural unit (BSU), also known as a hemiosteon or a trabecular packet, which is bonded to existing tissue by osteopontin-rich cement lines. The size and shape of the BSUs are determined by the size and shape of the resorption cavity, and whether the cavity is potentially over- or under-filled by the subsequent bone formation. The present study focuses on the recently formed trabecular BSUs, and how their 2D size and shape changes with age and trabecular microstructure. The study was performed using osteopontin-immunostained frontal sections of L2 vertebrae from 8 young (aged 18.5-37.6 years) and 8 old (aged 69.1-96.4 years) control females, which underwent microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging prior to sectioning. The contour of 4230 BSU profiles (181-385 per vertebra) within 1024 trabecular profiles were outlined, and their 2D width, length, area, and shape were assessed. Of these BSUs, 22 (0.5%) were generated by modeling-based bone formation (i.e. without prior resorption), while 99.5% were generated by remodeling-based bone formation (i.e. with prior resorption). The distributions of BSU profile width, length, and area were significantly smaller in the old versus young females (p < 0.005), and the median profile width, length, and area were negative correlated with age (p < 0.018). Importantly, these BSU profile size parameters were more strongly correlated with trabecular bone volume (BV/TV, p < 0.002) and structure model index (SMI, p < 0.008) assessed by μCT, than age. Moreover, the 2D BSU size parameters were positively correlated to the area of the individual trabecular profiles (p < 0.0001), which were significantly smaller in the old versus young females (p < 0.024). The BSU shape parameters (aspect ratio, circularity, and solidity) were not correlated with age, BV/TV, or SMI. Collectively, the study supports the notion that not only the BSU profile width, but also its length and area, are more influenced by the age-related bone loss and shift from plates to rods (SMI), than age itself. This implies that BSU profile size is mainly driven by changes in the trabecular microstructure, which affect the size of the resorption cavity that the BSU refills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney Alexi Lamarche
- Bharti School of Engineering and Computer Science, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Christina Møller Andreasen
- Clinical Cell Biology, Dept. of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Pathology Research Unit, Dept. of Molecular Medicine & Dept. of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - W Brent Lievers
- Bharti School of Engineering and Computer Science, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Thomas Levin Andersen
- Clinical Cell Biology, Dept. of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Pathology Research Unit, Dept. of Molecular Medicine & Dept. of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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7
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Borggaard XG, Nielsen MH, Delaisse JM, Andreasen CM, Andersen TL. Spatial Organization of Osteoclastic Coupling Factors and Their Receptors at Human Bone Remodeling Sites. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:896841. [PMID: 35775083 PMCID: PMC9239410 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.896841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The strictly regulated bone remodeling process ensures that osteoblastic bone formation is coupled to osteoclastic bone resorption. This coupling is regulated by a panel of coupling factors, including clastokines promoting the recruitment, expansion, and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells within the eroded cavity. The osteoprogenitor cells on eroded surfaces are called reversal cells. They are intermixed with osteoclasts and become bone-forming osteoblast when reaching a critical density and maturity. Several coupling factors have been proposed in the literature, but their effects and expression pattern vary between studies depending on species and experimental setup. In this study, we investigated the mRNA levels of proposed secreted and membrane-bound coupling factors and their receptors in cortical bone remodeling events within the femur of healthy adolescent human controls using high-sensitivity RNA in situ hybridization. Of the proposed coupling factors, human osteoclasts showed mRNA-presence of LIF, PDGFB, SEMA4D, but no presence of EFNB2, and OSM. On the other hand, the osteoblastic reversal cells proximate to osteoclasts presented with LIFR, PDGFRA and PLXNB1, but not PDGFRB, which are all known receptors of the proposed coupling factors. Although EFNB2 was not present in mature osteoclasts, the mRNA of the ligand-receptor pair EFNB2:EPHB4 were abundant near the central blood vessels within intracortical pores with active remodeling. EPHB4 and SEMA4D were also abundant in mature bone-forming osteoblasts. This study highlights that especially LIF:LIFR, PDGFB:PDGFRA, SEMA4D:PLXNB1 may play a critical role in the osteoclast-osteoblast coupling in human remodeling events, as they are expressed within the critical cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia G. Borggaard
- Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Bone Histology Team, Clinical Cell Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Xenia G. Borggaard, orcid.org/0000-0002-4922-2478 Thomas L. Andersen,
| | - Malene H. Nielsen
- Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Bone Histology Team, Clinical Cell Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jean-Marie Delaisse
- Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Bone Histology Team, Clinical Cell Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina M. Andreasen
- Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Bone Histology Team, Clinical Cell Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas L. Andersen
- Research Unit of Pathology, Department of Clinical Research and Department of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Bone Histology Team, Clinical Cell Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Xenia G. Borggaard, orcid.org/0000-0002-4922-2478 Thomas L. Andersen,
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8
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Iori G, Du J, Hackenbeck J, Kilappa V, Raum K. Estimation of Cortical Bone Microstructure From Ultrasound Backscatter. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2021; 68:1081-1095. [PMID: 33104498 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2020.3033050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multichannel pulse-echo ultrasound using linear arrays and single-channel data acquisition systems opens new perspectives for the evaluation of cortical bone. In combination with spectral backscatter analysis, it can provide quantitative information about cortical microstructural properties. We present a numerical study, based on the finite-difference time-domain method, to estimate the backscatter cross section of randomly distributed circular pores in a bone matrix. A model that predicts the backscatter coefficient using arbitrary pore diameter distributions was derived. In an ex vivo study on 19 human tibia bones (six males, 13 females, 83.7 ± 8.4 years), multidirectional ultrasound backscatter measurements were performed using an ultrasound scanner equipped with a 6-MHz 128-element linear array with sweep motor control. A normalized depth-dependent spectral analysis was performed to derive backscatter and attenuation coefficients. Site-matched reference values of tissue acoustic impedance Z , cortical thickness (Ct.Th), pore density (Ct.Po.Dn), porosity (Ct.Po), and characteristic parameters of the pore diameter (Ct.Po.Dm) distribution were obtained from 100-MHz scanning-acoustic microscopy images. Proximal femur areal bone mineral density (aBMD), stiffness S , and ultimate force Fu from the same donors were available from a previous study. All pore structure and material properties could be predicted using linear combinations of backscatter parameters with a median to high accuracy (0.28 ≤ adjusted R2 ≤ 0.59). The combination of cortical thickness and backscatter parameter provided similar or better prediction accuracies than aBMD. For the first time, a method for the noninvasive assessment of the pore diameter distribution in cortical bone by ultrasound is proposed. The combined assessment of cortical thickness, sound velocity, and pore size distribution in a mobile, nonionizing measurement system could have a major impact on preventing osteoporotic fractures.
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White RD, Yousefian O, Banks HT, Alexanderian A, Muller M. Inferring pore radius and density from ultrasonic attenuation using physics-based modeling. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 149:340. [PMID: 33514152 PMCID: PMC7808762 DOI: 10.1121/10.0003213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This work proposes the use of two physics-based models for wave attenuation to infer the microstructure of cortical bone-like structures. One model for ultrasound attenuation in porous media is based on the independent scattering approximation (ISA) and the other model is based on the Waterman Truell (WT) approximation. The microstructural parameters of interest are pore radius and pore density. Attenuation data are simulated for three-dimensional structures mimicking cortical bone using the finite-difference time domain package SimSonic. These simulated structures have fixed sized pores (monodisperse), allowing fine-tuned control of the microstructural parameters. Structures with pore radii ranging from 50 to 100 μm and densities ranging from 20 to 50 pores/mm3 are generated in which only the attenuation due to scattering is considered. From here, an inverse problem is formulated and solved, calibrating the models to the simulated data and producing estimates of pore radius and density. The estimated microstructural parameters closely match the values used to simulate the data, validating the use of both the ISA and WT approximations to model ultrasonic wave attenuation in heterogeneous structures mimicking cortical bone. Furthermore, this illustrates the effectiveness of both models in inferring pore radius and density solely from ultrasonic attenuation data.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D White
- Mathematics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - O Yousefian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - H T Banks
- Mathematics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - A Alexanderian
- Mathematics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - M Muller
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
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