Determination of structural femoral head allograft viability and integrity with a novel diagnostic tool: SPECT/CT. A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the viability and integrity of fresh frozen bulk femoral head allografts obtained from the institutional bone bank that were used to reconstruct severe acetabular defects and to validate the SPECT/CT method which gives both anatomical and functional data for this purpose.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 9 patients (6 female, 3 male; mean age 63.6 years). Preoperative and postoperative leg lengths, existence of the Trendelenburg sign, range of motion of the hip, visual analogue score (VAS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and any complication were assesed at each follow-up. Radiographically, position of the cup, signs of loosening or migration, and union of the graft were all determined. At the latest follow-up, patients were evaluated with hybrid SPECT/CT.

RESULTS: The average duration of follow-up was 38.1 months (24-50 months). The overall mean HHS and VAS scores were significantly improved (p<0.05). When hybrid SPECT/CT results were evaluated, the vascular phase of scintigraphy showed hyperaemia of the graft and the bone phase of scintigraphy showed normal or increased radiotracer uptake in the graft site in 7 patients. SPECT/CT images were used to determine the exact localisation of osteoblastic activity. 1 patient with minor resorption of the graft without clinical symptoms revealed mild osteoblastic activity. The patient who had no activity in the graft site was rerevised because of infection.

CONCLUSIONS: Institutional bank allografts are still excellent options for treating large acetabular defects in revision total hip arthroplasty where trabecular metals are not available or in common use. The Hybrid SPECT/CT method is a reliable, noninvasive method for evaluating both the integrity and viability of a bulk graft in 3-D.