Three-dimensional analysis of bone internal structures and cartilage structures

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16684
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Miymura Satoshi 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 助教 (10897599)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 小児肘関節障害 / CT / 骨内部情報 / 軟骨構造 / 上腕骨小頭離断性骨軟骨炎 / 小児肘関節周囲骨折

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a three-dimensional (3D) muskuloskeltal analysis system using CT data, and have applied it to research and clinical practice. Also, we have introduced qualitative factors such as bone density and cartilage structure to this sysetm. With the aim of further applying this method, we conducted research targeting pediatric elbow joint disorders, which continue to pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinical practice. In cases of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum, useful information for assessing disease progression and understanding the pathophysiology of the condition was obtained by quantifying the lesions and changes in bone density beneath the cartilage. Additionally, as part of efforts to depict cartilage lesions in elbow joint fractures, we conducted 3D reconstruction of cartilage structures by creating 3D models from MRI scans using cadaveric specimens and verifying their accuracy, resulting in the creation of highly accurate models.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

病変部の質的評価は、疾患及び病態に応じた詳細な解析を可能とし、病期進行予測や病態把握につながる。野球肘として知られる肘離断性骨軟骨炎では、病変部の空間的広がりや不安定性を評価して病期・病態を正しく把握することが肝要であり、本結果は、治療に直結する病態理解や予後不良因子の解明の一助となる。四肢関節疾患の画像診断において特に難渋するのが、未骨化軟骨の評価である。小児期の関節周囲の骨折では、正確な診断に至らず不適切な治療が行われ、成長障害などの重度後遺症を残すことがある。今後は、本研究で確立した手法を、通常診療で用いられるモダリティへ拡張応用させ、軟骨損傷部の画像識別法の確立が期待される。