Three-dimensional morphology of microdamage in peri-screw bone: a scanning electron microscopy of methylmethacrylate cast replica

Microsc Microanal. 2012 Oct;18(5):1106-11. doi: 10.1017/S1431927612001286. Epub 2012 Oct 9.

Abstract

Screw implantation inevitably causes microdamage in surrounding bone. However, little is known about the detailed characteristics of microdamage in peri-screw bone. In this study, we developed a method to construct microdamage cast with methylmethacrylate (MMA) and observed the cast using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In basic fuchsin stained bone sections observed by bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, diffuse damage, cross-hatched damage, and linear cracks were all presented in peri-screw bone. Using MMA casting/SEM method, we found numerous densely packed microcracks in the areas with diffuse damage. The osteocyte canaliculi and the microcracks consisting of diffuse damage had a similar diameter (or width), usually <0.5 μm, but their morphology was largely different. In the area with cross-hatched damage, the orientation of microcracks was similar to that in diffuse damage, but the number was significantly decreased. Many microcracks were thicker than 1 μm and associated with a rough surface. Large linear cracks (∼10 μm in diameter) occurred in different areas. Plenty of microcracks were present on the surface of some linear cracks. In conclusion, the MMA casting/SEM method can demonstrate the three-dimensional morphology of different types of microdamage, particularly the microcracks in diffuse damage, which are unable to be shown by light microscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Screws
  • Casts, Surgical
  • Dogs
  • Femur / injuries
  • Femur / ultrastructure*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Methylmethacrylate
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

Substances

  • Methylmethacrylate