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Effect of Thermal Ablation on Growth Plates: A Study to Explore the Thermal Threshold of Rabbit Growth Plates During Microwave Ablation

  • Laboratory Investigation
  • Non-Vascular Interventions
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CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the temperature threshold of thermal damage to growth plates.

Methods

Nine rabbits were divided into three groups for femoral ablation, exposing the growth plate to different temperatures (T1 = 43–45 °C; T2 = 46–48 °C; T3 = 49–51 °C). After 5 weeks, the changes in the femurs were assessed by macroscopic images, micro-CT, haematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry of Col2a1 (type II collagen). At the cellular level, rabbit epiphyseal chondrocytes were exposed to 37 °C, 44 °C, 47 °C and 50 °C for 5 min. Then, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation were detected.

Results

The rabbits in the T2 and T3 groups developed length discrepancies and axial deviations of femurs, abnormal newly formed bone in the marrow cavity, disorganized growth plates and decreased Col2a1 expression. At the cellular level, the cells exposed to 47 °C and 50 °C for 5 min showed decreased viability, increased apoptosis, decreased extracellular matrix synthesis and decreased matrix mineralization. However, the changes in rabbits in the T1 group and cells at 44 °C did not show a significant difference.

Conclusion

The ablation of growth plates at temperatures above 45 °C for 5 min results in decreased chondrocyte viability and disorganized growth plates, leading to growth disturbances. Further studies are warranted to confirm these promising initial results.

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Funding

The work was supported by Major Program of Hubei Technical Innovation Special Project (Grant number 2017ACA098).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No.169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China

    Shiliang Chen, Feifei Yan, Ang Zhong & Lin Cai

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  1. Shiliang Chen
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  2. Feifei Yan
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  3. Ang Zhong
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  4. Lin Cai
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Correspondence to Lin Cai.

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Chen, S., Yan, F., Zhong, A. et al. Effect of Thermal Ablation on Growth Plates: A Study to Explore the Thermal Threshold of Rabbit Growth Plates During Microwave Ablation. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 46, 112–119 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03238-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03238-4

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