Conventional finite element models estimate the strength of metastatic human vertebrae despite alterations of the bone's tissue and structure.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pathologic vertebral fractures are a major clinical concern in the management of cancer patients with metastatic spine disease. These fractures are a direct consequence of the effect of bone metastases on the anatomy and structure of the vertebral bone. The goals of this study were twofold. First, we evaluated the effect of lytic, blastic and mixed (both lytic and blastic) metastases on the bone structure, on its material properties, and on the overall vertebral strength. Second, we tested the ability of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements and standard FE methodologies to predict the strength of real metastatic vertebral bodies.

Methods

Fifty-seven vertebral bodies from eleven cadaver spines containing lytic, blastic, and mixed metastatic lesions from donors

SUBMITTER: Stadelmann MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9206866 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature