Bone Abstracts

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to scan femoral heads from cadaveric donors and investigate the microarchitecture within each femoral head comprehensively.

Material and methods: Ten proximal femora was harvested from eight human cadaveric donors and these specimens were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Reconstructed batches of images were aligned along the main trabecular direction (MTD). The upper hemisphere of each femoral head was included in the analysis. Femoral neck area was designated as 12 o’clock and 12 identical 30-degree arcs around a same center were assigned in each image. Each volume of interest was sub-divided into proximal and distal segment. Morphometric parameters were obtained in each reconstructed 3D volume of interest (VOI).

Results: In proximal segments structure model index (SMI), trabecular number (Tb. N), trabecular seperation (Tb. Sp), and degree of anisotropy (DA) were statistically different among VOIs. Bone volume fracture (BV/TV), SMI, Tb. N, Tb. Sp, DA, and connectivity density (Conn. D) were differed among VOIs in distal segments. In 90–120° area, which is located in posterior area BV-TV was highest and SMI was lowest. In 150–210° and 330–60° area DA was higher than other areas and increased in proximal segment. In 240–300° area trabecular thickness and number tended to be increased only in distal segments. In 0–60° Conn. D was higher in proximal segments.

Conclusion: When the microarchitecture within human femoral head was analysis along the MTD, morphometric parameters were distinctively different among VOIs. These findings are assumed to be mainly due to the morphology and orientation of the primary compressive trabeculae.