The blood supply of the growth plate and the epiphysis: a comparative scanning electron microscopy and histological experimental study in growing sheep.

The blood supply of the growth plate has been described in the late 50s and early 60s, and there was controversial discussion about the existence of transphyseal vessels. The vascular supply of growth plate and epiphysis of the proximal tibia was reinvestigated using a modern technique, the Mercox-perfusion method, in six sheep aged 6-24 weeks. A comparison was made among pure perfusion specimens, the corrosion casts, and histological sections. The metaphyseal, epiphyseal, and perichondral blood supply systems were confirmed. However, there was evidence of regular transphyseal anastomoses between the metaphyseal and epiphyseal system. Based on the histological arrangement of the blood vessels, the arterial blood flow would appear to be from the metaphysis to the epiphysis. The existence of transphyseal arterial vessels originating metaphyseally and seen both in cast preparations and histological sections was added to the present description of the blood supply of the growth plate. Age-related differences in the vascularization of the growth plate were not found in this study.

Loosening of a fenestrated femoral prosthesis: a case report with histomorphologic analysis.

The explanted loose stem of a trabecular cementless femoral prosthesis (Holz-Copf) was histologically analyzed revealing soft tissue 3 mm thick between the metal of the prosthesis and the cancellous bone. Direct contact between the implant and bone could not be found. Removal of the prosthesis was impossible by simple extraction so that a transfemoral approach was required. Prostheses with large fenestrations may be loose but at the same time ingrown with sufficient bone to require invasive procedures for their removal.