Histopathology of the vessels of the femoral heads in specimens of osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis and algodystrophy

Abstract

The authors studied by light microscopy the vessels of the femoral head and neck in 38 well preserved specimens from core biopsy. There were 17 cases of osteonecrosis (ON), 11 cases of osteoarthrosis (OA) and 10 cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, so called algodystrophy (AD). Mean age of the patients was respectively 44, 45 and 42 years. The sex ratio, M/F, was respectively 12/5, 6/5 and 9/1. Types of staining used were hematoxylin-eosin, Masson Trichrome, P.A.S. and Verhoeff. In counting, thick-walled and thin-walled vessels were distinguished. There was a significant reduction in the number of the thick- and thin-walled vessels, in the ON group, by comparison with the OA and AD groups. An increased number of thin-walled vessels in the AD group were also observed. Morphological study showed an abnormal frequency of fibrosis of the media in the arteries of the ON group, i.e. arteriosclerosis. These data were compared with the few other histopathological studies previously published. The authors recommend further studies in order to precise their frequency and their significance.

Experimental rat model for alcohol‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

“…However, we could not find any experimental reports on appositional bone formation as part of the repair process of bone necrosis after alcohol administration. Clinically, the detection of a band pattern on a magnetic resonance image is an important early finding for the diagnosis of non-traumatic ONFH and histopathologically corresponds to the repair tissue formed in cases of osteonecrosis (Bullough & DiCarlo 1990;Arlet et al 1993;Sugano et al 1999). The histopathological findings in the present study were very similar to those in patients with ONFH (Bullough & DiCarlo 1990;Arlet et al 1993).…”

“…The histopathological findings in the present study were very similar to those in patients with ONFH (Bullough & DiCarlo ; Arlet et al . ). We observed empty lacunae within the necrotic bone trabeculae and bone marrow cells including adipocytic necrosis in most areas of the femoral head in the alcohol group; results were similar to those observed in corticosteroid‐induced ONFH model treated with corticosteroids after the administration of a TLR4 ligand, LPS (Okazaki et al .…”

“…Clinically, the detection of a band pattern on a magnetic resonance image is an important early finding for the diagnosis of non‐traumatic ONFH and histopathologically corresponds to the repair tissue formed in cases of osteonecrosis (Bullough & DiCarlo ; Arlet et al . ; Sugano et al . ).…”

“…Clinically, the detection of a band pattern on a magnetic resonance image is an important early finding for the diagnosis of non-traumatic ONFH and histopathologically corresponds to the repair tissue formed in cases of osteonecrosis (Bullough & DiCarlo 1990;Arlet et al 1993;Sugano et al 1999). The histopathological findings in the present study were very similar to those in patients with ONFH (Bullough & DiCarlo 1990;Arlet et al 1993). We observed empty lacunae within the necrotic bone trabeculae and bone marrow cells including adipocytic necrosis in most areas of the femoral head in the alcohol group; results were similar to those observed in corticosteroid-induced ONFH model treated with corticosteroids after the administration of a TLR4 ligand, LPS .…”