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Open Access 01-07-2012 | Original Article

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome after tissue-engineered cartilage implantation: prospective 6-year follow-up study

Authors: Kobun Takazawa, Nobuo Adachi, Masataka Deie, Goki Kamei, Yuji Uchio, Junji Iwasa, Nobuyuki Kumahashi, Taku Tadenuma, Suguru Kuwata, Kazunori Yasuda, Harukazu Tohyama, Akio Minami, Takeshi Muneta, Shigeo Takahashi, Mitsuo Ochi

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Background

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is an important procedure when repairing cartilage defects of the knee. We previously reported several basic studies on tissue-engineered cartilage, and conducted a multicenter clinical study in 2009. In this clinical study, we evaluated the patients’ clinical scores and MRI findings before and after tissue-engineered cartilage implantation, and compared the data obtained at 1 year and approximately 6 years post-implantation.

Methods

Fourteen patients who underwent implantation of tissue-engineered cartilage to repair cartilage defects of the knee were evaluated. Tissue-engineered cartilage was produced by culturing autologous chondrocytes three dimensionally in atelocollagen gel. The patients were evaluated clinically using the Lysholm score, and the original knee-function score at pre-implantation and at 1 year and approximately 6 years post-implantation. MRI scans were obtained at the same observation periods. A modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) system was used to quantify clinical efficacy based on the MRI findings.

Results

In approximately 6 years of follow-up, none of the 14 patients reported any subjective symptoms of concern. The mean Lysholm score and the original knee-function score (63.0 ± 10.1, 59.9 ± 5.7) significantly improved at 1 year after implantation (86.4 ± 11.8, 94.1 ± 9.2), and were maintained until 6 years after implantation (89.8 ± 6.2, 89.9 ± 11.2), although some patients showed deterioration of Lysholm and original knee scores between 1 year post-implantation and the final follow-up. The mean MOCART score was 13.2 ± 12.0 pre-implantation, and 62.5 ± 24.7 at 1 year and 70.7 ± 22.7 at approximately 6 years post-implantation. The MOCART scores at 1 year and 6 years were significantly higher than the pre-implantation score, but there was no significant difference between the scores at 1 and 6 years, indicating that the MRI results at 1 year after implantation were maintained for the next 5 years.

Conclusions

The clinical scores and MRI findings after implantation of tissue-engineered cartilage were improved at 1 year after implantation and were maintained until 6 years after implantation.

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Title: Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome after tissue-engineered cartilage implantation: prospective 6-year follow-up study
Authors: Kobun Takazawa
Nobuo Adachi
Masataka Deie
Goki Kamei
Yuji Uchio
Junji Iwasa
Nobuyuki Kumahashi
Taku Tadenuma
Suguru Kuwata
Kazunori Yasuda
Harukazu Tohyama
Akio Minami
Takeshi Muneta
Shigeo Takahashi
Mitsuo Ochi
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0949-2658
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0231-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome after tissue-engineered cartilage implantation: prospective 6-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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