The role of bone SPECT/CT in the evaluation of lumbar spinal fusion with metallic fixation devices.

Purpose: It is difficult to evaluate the stability of the lumbar spondylodesis with metallic fixation devices by conventional imaging methods such as radiography or magnetic resonance imaging. It is unknown whether single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) may be useful to detect a lack of fixation of the pedicle screws and hence to predict instability of the fused vertebral segments.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 9 patients who were referred to bone scintigraphy, including combined SPECT/CT, due to persistent pain or discomfort after stabilizing lumbar surgery with metallic implants.

[Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture in individuals with renal transplantation].

Increased incidence of tendinitis and tendon ruptures is reported in recipients of a kidney transplant. Two cases of bilateral achilles tendon rupture after minimal trauma are described. Tendon ruptures are more frequent in individuals with kidney disease in dialysis or after transplantation compared with patients receiving other organ transplantations.

Interface mechanics and histomorphometric analysis of hydroxyapatite-coated and porous glass-ceramic implants in canine bone.

A canine study was performed to make a histological and biomechanical evaluation of the interface between bone and two different bioceramic implants. A newly developed glass-ceramic formed by P2O5, CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3, giving a crystal phase composed of CaP2O6-AlPO4-SiP2O7, was compared to hydroxyapatite (HA) coated Ti-6Al-4V implants. A total of 24 implants were inserted into the femoral condyle of 15 adult female golden retriever dogs weighing 20-25 kg.

Blood perfusion and remodelling activity in canine tibial diaphysis after filling with a new bone cement compared to bone wax and poly(methyl methacrylate) cement.

Six dogs each had one tibia filled with standard poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement and the contralateral tibia filled with a new methyl methacrylate-n-decyl methacrylate-isobornyl methacrylate (MMA-DMA-IBMA) bone cement (Boneloc) with lowered polymerization heat and monomer leakage. An additional six dogs each had one tibia filled with MMA-DMA-IBMA and the contralateral tibia filled with bone wax. There was a higher diaphyseal blood flow, measured with a microsphere technique, in the legs filled with MMA-DMA-IBMA than in those filled with PMMA.

Immediate implant placement using a biodegradable barrier, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate reinforced with polyglactin 910. An experimental study in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a biodegradable membrane of polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer reinforced with polyglactin 910 fibers, as an occlusive barrier over implants placed into fresh extraction sockets. Ten dogs had the 3rd and 4th mandibular premolars extracted bilaterally. Each dog had 4 Astra Dental Implants placed directly into the fresh extraction sockets.