In this study, we constructed a simulated model of neoplastic bone defects in different areas on top of the acetabulum. The fracture risk was predicted by three-dimensional (3D) FEA, the results of which were used to divide patients into the low fracture risk and high fracture risk groups and to guide the timing of surgical treatment of 39 patients with benign acetabular bone dome tumors. Clinical follow-up was performed for at least two years.
Finite element analysis
At the beginning of the study, we established a static biomechanical 3D finite element model of a neoplastic bone defect caused by a benign bone tumor on the top of the acetabulum using thin-slice CT scans from May 2014 to October 2014. Stress loading was carried out in the following positions: sitting, standing on two feet, standing on one foot on the affected side, and simulated one foot jumping state. The magnitude and distribution of stress in each model were analyzed. The fracture risk of the benign acetabular dome bone defect was evaluated based on biomechanics, and the decision-making on clinical diagnosis and treatment was further guided using this model.
The CT scan DICOM data of the normal pelvis of one patient (26 years old, 173-cm tall, 60 kg in weight) were imported into Mimics V15.0 software for 3D reconstruction and to simulate a normal pelvis and proximal femur model. According to the gray value of the CT image, the property of the bone material was assigned in Mimics as cortical bone elastic modulus of 17-Gpa, Poisson's ratio of 0.3, and fatigue strength of 150 Mpa for the upper and lower pubic area and 120 MPa for the acetabular area. Different types of acetabular dome bone defect models were simulated in Mimics. All parts were imported into ABAQUS 6.13 for assembly and meshing. The nodes and element number of each model are shown in Table 1.
There are six types of bone defect located 5-mm away from the acetabular dome. In type I, the anterior column is resected above the inferior margin of the acetabulum in the pelvic AP position. In type II, the posterior column is resected above the superior margin of the acetabulum in the pelvic AP position. In type III, 50% of the anterior column is resected at the medial part of the acetabulum dome and connected to the posterior column above the lower edge of the acetabulum. In type IV, the anterior column of the acetabulum is resected and connected to 50% of the posterior column. In type V, 50% of the anterior column and 50% of the posterior column are resected and connected to the acetabular dome. In type VI, the entire anterior and posterior columns of the acetabulum dome were removed) (Fig. 1).
The six types of bone defects in four different positions were analyzed in a software; the positions were sitting, standing, affected one-legged standing, and affected one-legged jumping. In reference to previous studies [18–20], a vertical downward load of 500 N was imposed on the surface of the sacrum to simulate the gravity of the upper part of the body. The loading power of the stress was 500 N in the sitting, standing, and affected one-legged standing positions and 1000 N on the affected acetabular dome to stimulate a one-legged jumping position. Based on the previously reported fatigue strength of 120–150 Mpa for the pelvic cortical bone, the acetabular fatigue strength in this study was set as 120 Mpa.
The fracture risk of the acetabulum dome was evaluated by FEA, which showed results that are described in the next sentences. In the normal pelvic model, the maximum stress was 1.5 MPa on the sciatic tuberosity in the sitting position; 0.6 MPa on the superior border of the greater sciatic notch in the standing position; and 3.5 MPa on the upper edge of the greater sciatic notch in the affected one-legged standing position. Among all the positions in the six different types of bone defects, the maximum stress was observed in the affected one-legged jumping position. The maximum stress values of 22.8, 36.0, 40.6, and 30.9 Mpa in the type I, II, III, and V bone defect models, respectively, were far less than the acetabular fatigue strength of 120 Mpa. The maximum stress values of 106.7 Mpa and 114.0 Mpa in the type IV and VI bone defect models, respectively, were close to the acetabular fatigue strength value that was at risk for fracture (Fig. 2).
According to the predicted fracture risk outcome of the top of the acetabulum, we divided the bone lesions into the following two groups: the low fracture risk group, which included type I, II, III, and V bone defect models, and the high fracture risk group, which included type IV and VI bone defect models.
Clinical verification
Our study was approved by the institution research ethics board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. The inclusion criteria were 1) patients with acetabular lesions that mainly involved the acetabular dome and 2) benign bone tumor that was pathologically-proven or highly suspected by the doctor based on symptoms, medical history, and ancillary examination. The exclusion criteria were 1) malignant tumor; 2) pelvic tumor that did not involve the acetabular dome; 3) pelvic lesions that caused severe clinical symptoms and involved the acetabulum, which needed simultaneous surgical treatment; and 4) pathological fractures on the first visit. From January 2015 to July 2018, a consecutive series of patients seen at our institution for benign bone tumors on the acetabulum dome were enrolled in this study.
First, the range of acetabular fornix involved in each patient was divided, based on the results of CT and MRI. The patients were divided into the low and high fracture risk groups, according to the results of the FEA. According to clinical evaluation of the doctor, the low fracture risk group was further divided into the invasive lesion group (Enneking III) or the noninvasive lesion group (static or active lesion, Enneking I and II). The high fracture risk group was not further divided. Finally, all patients were divided into the following three groups: low fracture risk noninvasive lesion, low fracture risk invasive lesion, and high fracture risk groups.
The low fracture risk noninvasive lesion group was followed-up in the outpatient clinic. The following were recorded on the first visit: initial diagnosis of the doctor, acetabular lesion site, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score-93 (MSTS-93) [21]. Subsequently, the patients were followed-up every three months by CT or MRI, according to the doctor's discretion. The main outcome measures were acetabular lesion changes, MSTS-93, and occurrence of pathological fracture. Operation was immediately performed if there was obvious progression of the lesion or pathological fracture of acetabular dome.
Likewise, the low fracture risk invasive lesion group was followed-up in the outpatient clinic. On the first visit, the patient diagnosis, lesion site (acetabular involvement), and MSTS-93 were recorded. The operation was not arranged temporarily, activity was not restricted, and adjuvant therapy with bisphosphonate intravenous injection or dinosemide was administered, according to diagnosis. The patients were examined every two to three months with CT or MRI examination, according to the doctor's discretion. Changes in the lesions and occurrence of pathological fractures were assessed during each follow-up, and MSTS-93 functional score was recorded on the last follow-up. Operation was performed at the end of the adjuvant treatment or when the lesion changed and became at high risk for fracture, based on the FEA.
The high fracture risk group was examined and underwent surgical treatment after diagnosis. The surgical treatments included the following: 1) curettage with bone grafting or bone cement; 2) tumor resection, total hip replacement, and acetabulum reconstruction with the femoral head; or 3) tumor resection with modular hemipelvic replacement.
Statistical analysis
Continuous data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The normality of continuous data was tested by the one sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Normally distributed parameters were analyzed by the independent sample t-test, and nonnormally distributed parameters were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U-test. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS Statistics software version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY).