Histologic Change of Extracorporeal Irradiated Autogenous Joint Transplantation in Rabbit's Knee

가토에서 체외 방사선 조사후 재이식한 자가관절의 조직학적 변화

A new method of limb sparing by resection, extracorporeal irradiation and reimplantation has several theoretical advantages. This method preserves the mobility of a joint and avoids the problem of loosening or breakage of tumor prosthesis. This study involved using extracorporeal irradiated autogenous joint transplantation for reconstruction after en bloc resection, and observed the periods of functional union and histological changes in irradiated tissue of the knee joint. This study also aimed to clarify whether the degeneration of articular cartilage is induced in rabbits by a single 50Gy dose of irradiation at the knee joint. Twenty New Zealand rabbits about three kilograms were randomized into two groups of 10 rabbits each. In group 1, as control, we resected the knee joint followed by reimplantation without irradiation. Group 2 received extracorporeal irradiation on the resected knee joint followed by reimplantation. Following are the results of these observations. The osteotomy site showed external callus formation in the roentgenographic finding eight weeks after reimplantation. There was marked degenerative changes in the collagen fiber of the irradiated anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus during the fourth week, but new blood-vessel formation was observed in the vicinity. There was degenerative changes in the collagen fiber of articular cartilage treated extracorporeal irradiation at four and eight weeks in the scanning electron micrographic findings. These findings was in contrast to those of subchondral bone which showed decreased cellularity and empty lacuna at four and eight weeks. Autoradiography demonstrated active [$^3H$]uridine incorporation by irradiated chondrocyte at eight weeks after reimplantation. These results indicate that when destruction of the articular cartilage and soft tissue of the knee joint is not severe, extracorporeal irradiation and reimplantation can be used with several advantage in maintaining movement of the joint while avoiding problems of tumor prosthesis and rejection, and therefore extracorporeal irradiated autogenous joint transplantation can be used as a limb-sparing procedure for temporary biological spacer in the childhood bone tumor around the knee.