ST-V-Net: incorporating shape prior into convolutional neural networks for proximal femur segmentation.

We aim to develop a deep-learning-based method for automatic proximal femur segmentation in quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images. We proposed a spatial transformation V-Net (ST-V-Net), which contains a V-Net and a spatial transform network (STN) to extract the proximal femur from QCT images. The STN incorporates a shape prior into the segmentation network as a constraint and guidance for model training, which improves model performance and accelerates model convergence.

Lytic lesions in the femoral neck: Importance of location and evaluation of a novel minimally invasive repair technique.

Proximal femoral metastases can lead to pathologic fracture. The goals of this study were to improve guidelines for assessing pathologic hip fracture risk by quantifying the effect of location of femoral neck metastases on hip strength under single-limb stance loading and to evaluate the effectiveness of a proposed minimally invasive surgical repair technique for restoring hip strength. Twelve matched pairs of human cadaveric proximal femora were used to create a total of 564 finite element models before and after introduction and repair of simulated lytic defects, modeled as spherical voids, at various locations within the femoral neck.

The effect of simulated metastatic lytic lesions on proximal femoral strength.

Metastatic lesions in the proximal femur can reduce hip strength and lead to pathologic fracture. However, current methods for identifying patients at risk of pathologic fracture are inadequate. We hypothesized the percentage of intact proximal femoral strength remaining after formation of a simulated lytic defect within the femoral neck or at the level of the lesser trochanter depends on defect location within the respective region.

Feasibility of a percutaneous technique for repairing proximal femora with simulated metastatic lesions.

Fracture of the proximal femur due to metastatic disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among breast cancer patients. Prophylactic surgical fixation is advised for patients at risk of fracture and typically involves placement of an orthopaedic implant. We propose that some proximal femora with metastases can be repaired by removing the lesion and filling the resulting defect with bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), a procedure that could be performed percutaneously without the use of hardware.

Predicting the strength of femoral shafts with and without metastatic lesions.

To evaluate a potential tool for assessing the risk of a pathologic fracture of the femoral shaft, we examined whether fracture loads computed by our computed tomography scan-based finite element models are predictive of measured fracture loads. We also evaluated whether the precision of the computed fracture loads for shafts with metastases is altered if models are generated using mechanical property-density relationships for bone without metastases. We investigated whether femoral shafts with a hemispheric defect and shafts with metastases have qualitatively similar structural behavior.

Predicting proximal femoral strength using structural engineering models.

Hip fracture related to osteoporosis and metastatic disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. An accurate and precise method of predicting proximal femoral strength and fracture location would be useful for research and clinical studies of hip fracture. The goals of this study were to develop a structural modeling technique that accurately predicts proximal femoral strength; to evaluate the accuracy and precision of this predicted strength on an independent data set; and to evaluate the ability of this technique to predict fracture location.

Mechanical properties, density and quantitative CT scan data of trabecular bone with and without metastases.

Pathologic fracture of the hip due to metastatic lesions in bone is a serious problem. This study examined the effect of metastatic lesions on the material properties and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) data of trabecular bone. Twelve distal femora were obtained, four with lytic and/or blastic metastatic lesions (group L), four without lesions but from donors who died from breast, prostate, or lung cancer (group NL), and four from donors with no cancer (group NC).

Relationships between material properties and CT scan data of cortical bone with and without metastatic lesions.

Breast, prostate, lung, and other cancers can metastasize to bone and lead to pathological fracture. To lay the groundwork for new clinical techniques for assessing the risk of pathological fracture, we identified relationships between density measured using quantitative computed tomography (rhoQCT), longitudinal mechanical properties, and ash density (rhoAsh) of cortical bone from femoral diaphyses with and without metastatic lesions from breast, prostate, and lung cancer (bone with metastases from six donors; bone without metastases from one donor with cancer and two donors without cancer). Moderately strong linear relationships between rhoQCT and elastic modulus, strength, and rhoAsh were found for bone with metastases (0.