Discovery and Characterization of Intercondylar Transphyseal Complexes and their Oncological Significance in Transphyseal Extension of Pediatric Osteosarcoma

Abstract

Objective To explore whether there exist undiscovered transphyseal vasculature‐canal compound structures in immature femurs and tibias, and reveal their potential oncological impact. Methods This investigation was divided into a morphological study and a clinical study. In the morphological part, a new‐identified anatomic structure was investigated by using radiographical, anatomical, and histological methodologies. Twenty‐eight 1‐mm‐slice thickness magnetic resonance images of pediatric knees were generated and 10 pediatric knees were dissected to verify the existence and universality, observe the radiographic and anatomic characteristics, and determined the located region of this structure. Hematoxylin–eosin staining, immunofluorescence, and angiography procedures were performed to illustrate its histological feature, molecular identification, and vascular origination, respectively. In the clinical part, 38 pediatric osteosarcoma patients were enrolled from January 2014 to December 2020. A descriptive clinical study including 13 typical participants was conducted to investigate the oncological significance of this new‐identified structure. Meanwhile, the discrepancy in transphyseal osteosarcoma extension between different physeal regions was evaluated in a cross‐sectional study. Results In the morphological study, we discovered a new‐found vasculature‐canal compound structure, intercondylar transphyseal complex (ITC), which originated from the middle genicular vessels, traversed the whole epiphysis, and breached the intact open physis in the immature proximal tibia or distal femur. The components of ITC included the juxta‐articular, epiphyseal, and transphyseal segments of vessels, the canals that traverse the entire epiphysis and physis and enclosed the vessels, vascular foramina on articular facet and foramina‐covered synovium. Depending on the location, ITCs can be divided into three types: femoral ITC, anterior tibial ITC, and posterior tibial ITC. Clinically, the ITC may facilitate intercondylar transphyseal sarcomatous dissemination without damaging the adjacent physeal cartilage. Compared to bilateral condylar physes, more osteosarcomas transgressed the open growth plates through intercondylar regions in which ITC was located ( P = 0.022). Conclusion As the “gap” on intact open physis, ITC, which is a new‐identified compound structure in intercondylar regions of immature femur or tibia, may promote intercondylar transphyseal tumor extension. Moreover, the identification and characterization of ITC subvert some traditional comprehensions about physis and may provide novel perspectives for pediatric osteosarcomas.

Reconstruction of a 3D-printed endoprosthesis after joint-preserving surgery with intraoperative physeal distraction for childhood malignancies of the distal femur

“…Furthermore, the physis, also known as the growth plate, was considered to act as a barrier, impeding tumor spread [ 11 ]. Consequently, joint-sparing surgery was recommended when the tumor was at least 10 mm away from the physis [ 2 , 11 , 16 ]. This study determined that the median distance between the tumor and the physis was 17 mm (range 13–25 mm), as confirmed by preoperative MRI scans.…”

“…In order to simplify the surgery and minimize the discomfort caused by the external fixator, physeal distraction was performed during the operation using two parallel Kirschner wires in our study. This method was chosen due to the weak tensile strength at the metaphysis-epiphysis junction [ 16 , 17 ], which was prone to separate under artificial force. Subsequently, the defect was reconstructed using a 3D-printed endoprosthesis.…”

“…The physis, known for its avascular nature and dense arrangement of chondrocytes, is widely recognized as a natural barrier against malignant invasion [ 15 , 16 ]. The physis or growth plate, due to the thinning of collagen fibers in this region, is considered the weakest part of the epiphysis, consequently compromising the tensile strength between the epiphysis and metaphysis [ 16 ]. When the tumor is situated in the metaphyseal region and does not invade or cross the physis, physeal distraction can be employed to separate the tumor [ 17 ].…”