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Tedesco G, Noli LE, Griffoni C, Ghermandi R, Facchini G, Peta G, Papalexis N, Asunis E, Pasini S, Gasbarrini A. Electrochemotherapy in Aggressive Hemangioma of the Spine: A Case Series and Narrative Literature Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1239. [PMID: 38592093 PMCID: PMC10932223 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: this case series and literature review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrochemotherapy in the management of aggressive spinal hemangiomas, presenting two distinct cases. (2) Methods: we present two cases of spinal aggressive hemangioma which were refractory to conventional treatments and underwent electrochemotherapy. Case 1 involves a 50-year-old female who presented with an aggressive spinal hemangioma of L1, who previously underwent various treatments including surgery, radio-chemotherapy, and arterial embolization. Case 2 describes a 16-year-old female with a T12 vertebral hemangioma, previously treated with surgery and stabilization, who faced limitations in treatment options due to her young age and the location of the hemangioma. (3) Results: in Case 1, electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was administered following the failure of previous treatments and resulted in the reduction of the lesion size and improvement in clinical symptoms. In Case 2, electrochemotherapy was chosen due to the risks associated with other treatments and was completed without any adverse events. Both cases demonstrated the potential of electrochemotherapy as a viable treatment option for spinal hemangiomas, especially in complex or recurrent cases. (4) Conclusions: electrochemotherapy with bleomycin is a promising treatment for aggressive spinal hemangiomas when conventional therapies are not feasible or have failed. Further research is needed to establish definitive protocols and long-term outcomes of electrochemotherapy in spinal hemangioma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Tedesco
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Luigi Emanuele Noli
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Cristiana Griffoni
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Riccardo Ghermandi
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Giancarlo Facchini
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.F.); (G.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Giuliano Peta
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.F.); (G.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicolas Papalexis
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.F.); (G.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Emanuela Asunis
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Stefano Pasini
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandro Gasbarrini
- Department of Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (G.T.); (C.G.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (A.G.)
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Kos B, Mattison L, Ramirez D, Cindrič H, Sigg DC, Iaizzo PA, Stewart MT, Miklavčič D. Determination of lethal electric field threshold for pulsed field ablation in ex vivo perfused porcine and human hearts. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1160231. [PMID: 37424913 PMCID: PMC10326317 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1160231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pulsed field ablation is an emerging modality for catheter-based cardiac ablation. The main mechanism of action is irreversible electroporation (IRE), a threshold-based phenomenon in which cells die after exposure to intense pulsed electric fields. Lethal electric field threshold for IRE is a tissue property that determines treatment feasibility and enables the development of new devices and therapeutic applications, but it is greatly dependent on the number of pulses and their duration. Methods In the study, lesions were generated by applying IRE in porcine and human left ventricles using a pair of parallel needle electrodes at different voltages (500-1500 V) and two different pulse waveforms: a proprietary biphasic waveform (Medtronic) and monophasic 48 × 100 μs pulses. The lethal electric field threshold, anisotropy ratio, and conductivity increase by electroporation were determined by numerical modeling, comparing the model outputs with segmented lesion images. Results The median threshold was 535 V/cm in porcine ((N = 51 lesions in n = 6 hearts) and 416 V/cm in the human donor hearts ((N = 21 lesions in n = 3 hearts) for the biphasic waveform. The median threshold value was 368 V/cm in porcine hearts ((N = 35 lesions in n = 9 hearts) cm for 48 × 100 μs pulses. Discussion The values obtained are compared with an extensive literature review of published lethal electric field thresholds in other tissues and were found to be lower than most other tissues, except for skeletal muscle. These findings, albeit preliminary, from a limited number of hearts suggest that treatments in humans with parameters optimized in pigs should result in equal or greater lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Kos
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lars Mattison
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - David Ramirez
- Department of Surgery, Visible Heart® Laboratories, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Helena Cindrič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Daniel C. Sigg
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paul A. Iaizzo
- Department of Surgery, Visible Heart® Laboratories, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Mark T. Stewart
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Wang X, Xu K, Zhang E, Bai Q, Ma B, Zhao C, Zhang K, Liu T, Ma Z, Zeng H, Zhou Y, Li Z. Irreversible Electroporation Improves Tendon Healing in a Rat Model of Collagenase-Induced Achilles Tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med 2023:3635465231167860. [PMID: 37129100 DOI: 10.1177/03635465231167860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of painful chronic tendinopathy is challenging, and there is an urgent need to develop new regenerative methods. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) can lead to localized cell ablation by electrical pulses and induce new cell and tissue growth. Previously, the authors' group reported that electroporation-ablated tendons fully regenerated. PURPOSE To assess the efficiency of IRE in improving tendon healing using a collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy rat model. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS After screening for the IRE ablation parameters, a collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy rat model was used to assess the efficacy of IRE in improving tendon healing via biomechanical, behavioral, histological, and immunofluorescence assessments. RESULTS The experiments showed that the parameter of 875 V/cm 180 pulses could ablate most tenocytes, and apoptosis was the main type of death in vitro. In vivo, IRE promoted the healing process of chronic tendinopathy in the Achilles tendon of rats, based on biomechanical, behavioral, and histological assessments. Finally, immunofluorescence results revealed that IRE improved blood supply in the early stages of tendon repair and could potentially reduce neuropathic pain. CONCLUSION IRE enhanced tendon tissue healing in a rat model of collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE IRE may as a potential alternative treatment for tendinopathy in clinical usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology Institute of PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Lintong Rehabilitation and Convalescent Centre of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kui Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology Institute of PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Eryang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Yuncheng Center Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
| | - Qian Bai
- The Hospital of 26th Base of PLA Strategic Support Force, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Baoan Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology Institute of PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - ChenGuang Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kailiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, the 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology Institute of PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhouyong Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Yuncheng Center Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Department of Orthopedics, Yuncheng Center Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology Institute of PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Yuncheng Center Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
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Cindrič H, Miklavčič D, Cornelis FH, Kos B. Optimization of Transpedicular Electrode Insertion for Electroporation-Based Treatments of Vertebral Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215412. [PMID: 36358829 PMCID: PMC9657605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation-based treatments such as electrochemotherapy and irreversible electroporation ablation have sparked interest with respect to their use in medicine. Treatment planning involves determining the best possible electrode positions and voltage amplitudes to ensure treatment of the entire clinical target volume (CTV). This process is mainly performed manually or with computationally intensive genetic algorithms. In this study, an algorithm was developed to optimize electrode positions for the electrochemotherapy of vertebral tumors without using computationally intensive methods. The algorithm considers the electric field distribution in the CTV, identifies undertreated areas, and uses this information to iteratively shift the electrodes from their initial positions to cover the entire CTV. The algorithm performs successfully for different spinal segments, tumor sizes, and positions within the vertebra. The average optimization time was 71 s with an average of 4.9 iterations performed. The algorithm significantly reduces the time and expertise required to create a treatment plan for vertebral tumors. This study serves as a proof of concept that electrode positions can be determined (semi-)automatically based on the spatial information of the electric field distribution in the target tissue. The algorithm is currently designed for the electrochemotherapy of vertebral tumors via a transpedicular approach but could be adapted for other anatomic sites in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Cindrič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Bor Kos
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
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Song Y, Zheng J, Fan L. Nonthermal Irreversible Electroporation to the Esophagus: Evaluation of Acute and Long-Term Pathological Effects in a Rabbit Model. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e020731. [PMID: 34726077 PMCID: PMC8751962 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.020731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Esophageal ulceration and fistula are severe complications of pulmonary vein isolation using thermal ablation. Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is a promising new technology for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. NTIRE ablation technology has been used to treat atrial fibrillation; however, the effects of NTIRE on esophageal tissue have not been clearly described. Methods and Results A typical NTIRE electrical protocol was directly applied to esophagi in 84 New Zealand rabbits. Finite element modeling and histological analysis with 120 slices were used to analyze electric field intensity distribution and subsequent tissue changes. A parameter combination of 2000 V/cm multiplied by 90 pulses output is determined to be an effective ablation parameters combination. Within 16 weeks after ablation, no obvious lumen stenosis, epithelial erythema, erosion, ulcer, or fistula was observed in the esophageal tissue. NTIRE effectively results in esophageal cell ablation to death, and subsequently, signs of recovery gradually appear: creeping replacement and regeneration of epithelial basal cells, repair and regeneration of muscle cells, structural remodeling of the muscle layer, and finally the restoration of clear anatomical structures in all layers. Conclusions Monophasic, bipolar NTIRE delivered using plate electrodes in a novel esophageal injury model demonstrates no histopathologic changes to the esophagus at 16 weeks. Data of this study suggest that electroporation ablation is a safe modality for pulsed electroporation ablation near the esophagus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Song
- Department of Urology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Department of Anesthesia General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Lianhui Fan
- Department of Urology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
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6
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Aun TT, Salleh NM, Ali UFM, Manan NSA. Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensors Involving Copper: An Electrochemical Perspective. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 53:537-593. [PMID: 34477020 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1967720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on the use of copper and its oxides have emerged as promising candidates to replace enzymatic glucose sensors owing to their stability, ease of fabrication, and superior sensitivity. This review explains the theories of the mechanism of glucose oxidation on copper transition metal electrodes. It also presents an overview on the development of among the best non-enzymatic copper-based glucose sensors in the past 10 years. A brief description of methods, interesting findings, and important performance parameters are provided to inspire the reader and researcher to create new improvements in sensor design. Finally, several important considerations that pertain to the nano-structuring of the electrode surface is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Tiek Aun
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,University Malaya Centre for Ionic Liquids (UMCiL), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noordini Mohamad Salleh
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Nanostructure Self-Assembly, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Umi Fazara Md Ali
- Chemical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Biomass Utilization (COEBU), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau, Malaysia
| | - Ninie Suhana Abdul Manan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,University Malaya Centre for Ionic Liquids (UMCiL), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Sun G, Wang X, Shen S, Li L, Shang T, Ding W. All-solid-state bipolar pulsed generator based on linear transformer driver and push-pull circuit. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:094709. [PMID: 34598493 DOI: 10.1063/5.0055287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
All-solid-state linear transformer drivers (LTDs) are widely used in high-voltage repetitive nanosecond-pulsed generators, and only a few LTD generators can output bipolar rectangular waves currently. Furthermore, owing to the large reverse overshoot when the output pulse width is long, fewer LTD generators can achieve a rectangular wave output with a microsecond pulse width. In this study, a bipolar LTD circuit topology based on a push-pull circuit is proposed for irreversible electroporation. In this topology, a single-stage LTD module has four push-pull branches in its primary winding to achieve a bipolar output and a short-circuited winding with two resistor-capacitor-diode snubbers to suppress forward/reverse overshoot. A single-stage LTD module and a 12-stage LTD have been tested, and the results show that they can output bipolar rectangular pulses with variable parameters. When the output pulse width is 100 ns to 1 µs, the maximum output voltage amplitude is 5.74 kV, the rise time is 29.1 ns, and the reverse overshoot at 1 µs is 2.9%. When the output pulse width is 1-8 µs, the maximum output voltage amplitude is 2.93 kV, the rise time is 24.3 ns, and the reverse overshoot at 8 µs is 11.3%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Saikang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Lanxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Tianyi Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Weidong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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Gantenbein B, Tang S, Guerrero J, Higuita-Castro N, Salazar-Puerta AI, Croft AS, Gazdhar A, Purmessur D. Non-viral Gene Delivery Methods for Bone and Joints. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:598466. [PMID: 33330428 PMCID: PMC7711090 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.598466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral carrier transport efficiency of gene delivery is high, depending on the type of vector. However, viral delivery poses significant safety concerns such as inefficient/unpredictable reprogramming outcomes, genomic integration, as well as unwarranted immune responses and toxicity. Thus, non-viral gene delivery methods are more feasible for translation as these allow safer delivery of genes and can modulate gene expression transiently both in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro. Based on current studies, the efficiency of these technologies appears to be more limited, but they are appealing for clinical translation. This review presents a summary of recent advancements in orthopedics, where primarily bone and joints from the musculoskeletal apparatus were targeted. In connective tissues, which are known to have a poor healing capacity, and have a relatively low cell-density, i.e., articular cartilage, bone, and the intervertebral disk (IVD) several approaches have recently been undertaken. We provide a brief overview of the existing technologies, using nano-spheres/engineered vesicles, lipofection, and in vivo electroporation. Here, delivery for microRNA (miRNA), and silencing RNA (siRNA) and DNA plasmids will be discussed. Recent studies will be summarized that aimed to improve regeneration of these tissues, involving the delivery of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), such as BMP2 for improvement of bone healing. For articular cartilage/osteochondral junction, non-viral methods concentrate on targeted delivery to chondrocytes or MSCs for tissue engineering-based approaches. For the IVD, growth factors such as GDF5 or GDF6 or developmental transcription factors such as Brachyury or FOXF1 seem to be of high clinical interest. However, the most efficient method of gene transfer is still elusive, as several preclinical studies have reported many different non-viral methods and clinical translation of these techniques still needs to be validated. Here we discuss the non-viral methods applied for bone and joint and propose methods that can be promising in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gantenbein
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedics and Mechanobiology, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Shirley Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Orthopaedics, Spine Research Institute Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Julien Guerrero
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedics and Mechanobiology, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Higuita-Castro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Surgery, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Ana I Salazar-Puerta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Surgery, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Andreas S Croft
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedics and Mechanobiology, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amiq Gazdhar
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Devina Purmessur
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Orthopaedics, Spine Research Institute Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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What Are the Effects of Irreversible Electroporation on a Staphylococcus aureus Rabbit Model of Osteomyelitis? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2019; 477:2367-2377. [PMID: 31393339 PMCID: PMC6999922 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000000882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of osteomyelitis can be challenging because of poor antibiotic penetration into the infected bone and toxicities associated with prolonged antibiotic regimens to control infection. Irreversible electroporation (IRE), a percutaneous image-guided ablation technology in which the targeted delivery of high-voltage electrical pulses permanently damages the cell membrane, has been shown to effectively control bacterial growth in various settings. However, IRE for the management of bone infections has yet to be evaluated. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES We aimed to evaluate IRE for treating osteomyelitis by assessing (1) the efficacy of IRE to suppress the in vitro growth of a clinical isolate of S. aureus, alone or combined with cefazolin; and (2) the effects of IRE on the in vivo treatment of a rabbit model of osteomyelitis. METHODS S. aureus strain UAMS-1 expanded in vitro to the log phase was subjected to an electric field of 2700 V/cm, which was delivered in increasing numbers of pulses. Immediately after electroporation, bacteria were plated on agar plates with or without cefazolin. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was scored the following day. ANOVA tests were used to analyze in vitro data. In a rabbit osteomyelitis model, we inoculated the same bacterial strain into the radius of adult male New Zealand White rabbits. Three weeks after inoculation, all animals (n = 32) underwent irrigation and débridement, as well as wound culture of the infected forelimb. Then, they were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (n = eight per group): untreated control, cefazolin only, IRE only, or combined IRE + cefazolin. Serial radiography was performed to assess disease progression using a semiquantitative grading scale. Bone and soft-tissue specimens from the infected and contralateral forelimbs were collected at 4 weeks after treatment for bacterial isolation and histologic assessment using a semiquantitative scale. RESULTS The in vitro growth of S. aureus UAMS-1 was impaired by IRE in a pulse-dependent fashion; the number of CFUs/mL was different among seven pulse levels, namely 0, 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 pulses. With the number of CFUs/mL observed in untreated controls set as 100%, 10 pulses rendered a median of 50.2% (range 47.1% to 58.2%), 30 pulses rendered a median of 2.7% (range 2.5% to 2.8%), 60 pulses rendered a median of 0.014% (range 0.012% to 0.015%), 90 pulses rendered a median of 0.004% (range 0.002% to 0.004%), 120 pulses rendered a median of 0.001% (range 0.001% to 0.001%), and 150 pulses rendered a median of 0.001% (range 0.000% to 0.001%) (Kruskal-Wallis test: p = 0.003). There was an interaction between the effect of the number of pulses and the concentration of cefazolin (two-way ANOVA: F [8, 30] = 17.24; p < 0.001), indicating that combining IRE with cefazolin is more effective than either treatment alone at suppressing the growth of S. aureus UAMS-1. Likewise, the clinical response in the rabbit model (the percentage of animals without detectable residual bacteria in the bone and surrounding soft tissue after treatment) was better in the combination group than in the other groups: control, 12.5% (one of eight animals); IRE only, 12.5% (one of eight animals); cefazolin only, 25% (two of eight animals); and IRE + cefazolin, 75% (six of eight animals) (two-sided Fisher's exact test: p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS IRE effectively suppressed the growth of S. aureus UAMS-1 and enhanced the antibacterial effect of cefazolin in in vitro studies. When translated to a rabbit osteomyelitis model, the addition of IRE to conventional parenteral antibiotic treatment produced the strongest response, which supports the in vitro findings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our results show that IRE may improve the results of standard parenteral antibiotic treatment, thus setting the stage for models with larger animals and perhaps trials in humans for validation.
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Cindrič H, Kos B, Tedesco G, Cadossi M, Gasbarrini A, Miklavčič D. Electrochemotherapy of Spinal Metastases Using Transpedicular Approach-A Numerical Feasibility Study. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2019; 17:1533034618770253. [PMID: 29759043 PMCID: PMC5956634 DOI: 10.1177/1533034618770253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebral column is the most frequent site for bone metastases. It has been demonstrated in previous studies that bone metastases can be efficiently treated by electrochemotherapy. We developed a novel approach to treat spinal metastases, that is, transpedicular approach that combines electrochemotherapy with already established technologies for insertion of fixation screws in spinal surgery. In the transpedicular approach, needle electrodes are inserted into the vertebral body through pedicles and placed around the tumor. The main goal of our study was to numerically investigate the feasibility of the proposed treatment approach. Three clinical cases were used in this study—1 with a tumor completely contained within the vertebral body and 2 with tumors spread also to the pedicles and spinal canal. Anatomically accurate numerical models were built for all 3 cases, and numerical computations of electric field distribution in tumor and surrounding tissue were performed to determine the treatment outcome. Complete coverage of tumor volume with sufficiently high electric field is a prerequisite for successful electrochemotherapy. Close to 100% tumor coverage was obtained in all 3 cases studied. Two cases exhibited tumor coverage of >99%, while the coverage in the third case was 98.88%. Tumor tissue that remained untreated was positioned on the margin of the tumor volume. We also evaluated hypothetical damage to spinal cord and nerves. Only 1 case, which featured a tumor grown into the spinal canal, exhibited potential risk of neural damage. Our study shows that the proposed transpedicular approach to treat spinal metastases is feasible and safe if the majority of tumor volume is contained within the vertebral body. In cases where the spinal cord and nerves are contained within the margin of the tumor volume, a successful and safe treatment is still possible, but special attention needs to be given to evaluation of potential neural damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Cindrič
- 1 Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bor Kos
- 1 Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giuseppe Tedesco
- 2 Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cadossi
- 2 Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gasbarrini
- 2 Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- 1 Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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