Biomedical subjects

M Quaranta

Publications and source records attributed to M Quaranta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Radiotherapy for isolated occult subfoveal neovascularisation in age related macular degeneration: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Teletherapy has been proposed as a possible treatment for choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV), secondary to age related macular degeneration (AMD) not amenable to laser photocoagulation. The aim of this prospective study has been to investigate the effect of teletherapy on isolated occult choroidal neovascular membranes of subfoveal location. METHODS: 28 AMD patients presenting with retrofoveal isolated occult CNV demonstrated by fluorescein angiography were treated by external beam radiation. A complete ophthalmological examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography (ICG) were performed within 15 days before treatment and repeated at follow up. A total dose of 16 Gy was applied in four sessions of 4 Gy using a 4 MeV photon beam. Follow up ranged from 6 to 9 months (mean follow up 6.4 months). RESULTS: Visual acuity was found to be stable in 68% of the cases. The decrease in visual acuity was of 3-6 lines in 18% and of more than 6 lines in 10% of the eyes at last examination. On fluorescein angiography the size of the lesion area was found to be stable in 67%, decreased in 13%, and increased in 20% of the cases. On ICG angiography the size of the CNV was stable in 93% and increased in 7% of the cases. All the eyes experiencing a visual acuity decrease showed either no change or an increase in size of the membrane on fluorescein angiography and/or on ICG. CONCLUSION: According to this study with strict inclusion criteria, external beam radiotherapy seems to have a beneficial effect on the evolution of isolated occult subfoveal CNV.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Failures and surgical complications in oral implants. Follow-up of 327 osseointegrated implants].

AIM: The study analyses the short- and long-term clinical results in 112 patients with total or partial edentulia of the jaw undergoing oral implantology in order to assess the type of surgical complications. METHODS: A total of 327 implants were inserted with an internal hexagonal screw, a diameter of between 3.25 and 5.5 mm and between 11 and 15 mm long. Each patient received three types of implant: overdentures, bridges supported by implants alone and bridges supported by implants and natural teeth. RESULTS: In line with other data reported in the literature, the failure rate at 7 years was 3%. CONCLUSIONS: After a general discussion of the possible surgical complications arising during implantology, the authors describe and analyse all the surgical complications that occurred in this series, regarding both implants alone, bridges supported by implants and natural teeth.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Maximal cytoreductive surgery as a reasonable therapeutic alternative for recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine if maximal cytoreductive surgery could carry any benefit in pelvic and abdominal recurrent endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty women at their first large pelvic or abdominal recurrence from endometrial carcinoma were treated with maximal cytoreductive surgery. Women were classified as R1 (residual tumor) or R0 (no residual tumor) by tumor left at the end of surgery. Adjuvant postoperative therapy was undertaken upon clinical judgement. Progression-free, overall, and cancer-related survivals were analyzed with the product-limit method and compared with the log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used to study the variables involved in progression-free and overall survival. RESULTS: Complete macroscopic resection of tumor was feasible in 13 women (65%). R0 group women had a significant both progression-free (median reached at 9.1 months) and overall survival (median reached at 11.8 months) compared to R1 group women. There were 2 (10%) perioperative deaths. Eight women died of cancer, 5 in the R1 group and 3 in the R0 group. There were four intercurrent deaths in women still free from the disease. Local control of neoplasia was achieved in 84.6% of R0 women and their survival was affected mostly by distant recurrences or intercurrent deaths. Residual tumor at the end of surgery was the only significant variable to affect both progression-free and overall survival. CONCLUSION: Intensive surgery is a valid treatment option in women with large pelvic or abdominal recurrence from endometrial carcinoma. Tumor can be completely resected and local control of the disease can be achieved in most of the patients, although survival could be affected by distant recurrence and intercurrent deaths.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Radiotherapy of occult neovascularization in senile macular degeneration: initial results of a pilot study].

BACKGROUND: AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in people aged of more than 50 in industrialized countries. Occult neovascularization accounts for more than 70% of all exsudatives forms of AMD. Radiotherapy has been proposed as a possible treatment for retrofoveal neovascularization. We present the first results of a pilot study actually ongoing at the AMD Center in Creteil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 44 patients (46 eyes) presenting occult choroidal neovascularization involving the fovea, aged of > 50 years and with a minimal visual acuity of at least 0.1 were included. They received a total dose of 16 Gy in 4 sessions of 4 Gy. All the patients were checked after 3 months. RESULTS: Visual acuity was globally maintained (> 0.1 in 93% of the eyes). Only one eye suffered a significant loss of vision (> 6 lines) and 11% suffered a moderate loss of vision (> 3 lines). Moreover 67% of eyes still had a near vision of 0.5 or more with reading glasses. On fluorescein angiography 17.5% of the eyes experienced an increase of the size of the occult neovascularization of > 0.5 Disk Area (DA), 76% showed no modification and 6.5% demonstrated a decrease in size of > 0.5 DA. CONCLUSIONS: As it has been shown that the antimitotic action of radiotherapy is most effective after 3 months, the present results suggest better evolution than natural history. However, as occult choroidal neovascularization is a slow-evolving disease further follow-up is needed to confirm it.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Indocyanine green angiography of basal laminar drusen in the retinal pigment epithelium associated with vitelliform macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: In the mid-late life, basal laminar drusen can be associated with vitelliform macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization. The differential diagnosis between these two clinical entities is not always easy with fluorescein angiography. The aim of this case report is to describe the indocyanine green angiographic features of basal laminar drusen and pseudo-vitelliform material and to evaluate the role of ICG angiography in differentiating new choroidal vessels from vitelliform macular degeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients (12 eyes) with central visual loss and metamorphopsia underwent a biomicroscopic examination. Diagnosis was basal laminar drusen and bilateral vitelliform macular degeneration. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies were performed and the results were compared. RESULTS: In all eyes, basal laminar drusen were hyperfluorescent with both angiographies. On fluorescein angiography, the macular material was hypofluorescent early, but gradual staining occurred from the borders in the late phase. In 8 out of the 12 eyes, fluorescein angiographic characteristics of the macular lesions could not provide clues to differential diagnostic between new choroidal vessels and vitelliform material. On indocyanine green angiography, in 8 eyes the material remained intensely hypofluorescent during the whole sequence. In 4 eyes, indocyanine green angiography allowed the identification of hyperfluorescent well-defined new choroidal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green angiography allows the visualization of basal laminar drusen and can easily differentiate choroidal neovascularization from acquired vitelliform degeneration.

Angiography↗

PubMed1997

Plaque radiotherapy for the management of uveal metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is effective for the management of most uveal metastases, and standard external beam radiotherapy is generally administered during a 3-to 4-week period. For those patients in whom external beam radiotherapy or other methods fail or those patients with solitary uveal metastases, plaque radiotherapy may be an alternative method. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of plaque radiotherapy for the management of uveal metastasis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 36 patients with uveal metastases who were examined at the Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa, and treated with plaque radiotherapy. The clinical findings and follow-up data of the primary tumor and the uveal metastasis were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients, 27 (75%) received plaque treatment as primary therapy for the uveal metastasis and 9 (25%) received plaque treatment as secondary therapy after failure of the uveal tumor to respond to external beam radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. During treatment, 22 patients (61%) had no other systemic metastasis and 14 (39%) had controlled systemic metastasis. No patients had active metastasis elsewhere. The uveal metastasis was solitary and well circumscribed in all but 1 patient; it measured a mean of 11 mm in basal dimension and 4 mm in thickness. The mean time for treatment was 86 hours, and the mean therapeutic dose was 68.80 Gy to the tumor apex and 235.64 Gy to the tumor base. Regression of the uveal metastasis was documented in 34 patients (94%) during a mean follow-up of 11 months. As early as 3 months after treatment, the mean tumor thickness had decreased to 2 mm. Plaque radiotherapy salvaged 5 of the 6 eyes that had failed prior external beam radiotherapy. Radiation retinopathy, radiation papillopathy, or both were found in 3 patients (8%) and occurred at a mean of 8 months after treatment. At the last examination, 18 patients (50%) were alive (11 with and 7 without active systemic metastasis) and 18 (50%) were dead from systemic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Plaque radiotherapy is an effective method for treating selected solitary uveal metastasis. It offers a high degree of tumor control, especially for those eyes in which other methods have failed. Plaque treatment is provided during a short period, minimizing the time demand for these patients with a limited life expectancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Exocervical pregnancy.

A case of cervical pregnancy with implantation of the fertilized ovum on the exocervix is described. This pregnancy was mistaken for an endometriotic lesion and treated by simple surgical excision. Discussion is centered on etiology, predisposing factors and management.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon treatment.

To study the influence of interferon therapy on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 we measured sICAM-1 levels in 22 patients with type C chronic hepatitis treated with interferon. We also studied 9 healthy subjects as control group. The results showed statistically significant higher levels of sICAM-1 in patients with liver disease than in the controls. The sICAM-1 baseline levels were similar in patients with chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis but, during therapy, these levels decreased only in patients with chronic hepatitis. After IFN withdrawal sICAM-1 levels rebounded to initial values.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1997

Indocyanine green angiography of drusen.

PURPOSE: To analyze the indocyanine green angiographic findings of drusen in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Sixty-nine eyes of 53 consecutive patients with drusen but without exudative complications of age-related macular degeneration were studied. Drusen were classified into four groups: hard drusen, drusen derived from clusters of hard drusen (hard cluster-derived drusen and soft cluster-derived drusen), membranous drusen, and regressing drusen. An additional category was constituted by reticular pseudodrusen that could be associated with drusen of either the inner or outer macula. Results of contact lens biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography were compared with findings on indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: Hard drusen, either isolated hard drusen or hard cluster-derived drusen, were hyperfluorescent during indocyanine green angiography; in contrast, all sizes of soft drusen derived from clusters of hard drusen were hypofluorescent throughout the angiogram. Membranous drusen, visible on biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography, were not visible during indocyanine green angiography. Regressing drusen may have showed hyperfluorescence at the early stages of indocyanine green angiography, but associated calcium and pigmentation were hypofluorescent. Reticular pseudodrusen were visible on red-free photographs; on midphase and late-phase indocyanine green angiography using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope only, reticular pseudodrusen were seen as a pattern of hypofluorescent dots. CONCLUSION: The indocyanine green angiographic findings add to and support the clinicopathologic classification of drusen. Indocyanine green angiography may help to distinguish the different types of drusen and may thus be of use in evaluating the risk of progressive age-related macular degeneration in patients with drusen.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

High-precision, cost-effective cutting system for producing thin sections of oral tissues containing dental implants.

A new high-precision, cost-effective cutting system, able to produce thin (20-30 microns) sections of oral tissues, containing dental implants, is presented. With this system the authors have been able to obtain, in a reproducible and consistent way, thin slides containing biomaterials and biological tissues. Very high cellular detail was possible, even at high magnifications (x 1200). Histochemical reactions (e.g. acid and alkaline phosphatases) have also been obtained in a reproducible way, without sputter ground staining. The time involved in specimen cutting was significantly reduced, and about five slides per specimen were obtained with minimal loss of tissue. In almost all cases it has been possible to eliminate the grinding process with its inherent problems, such as formation of ledging at the bone-titanium interface. With this system it was also possible to obtain thin slides of soft tissue lesions (i.e. benign mucous membrane pemphigoid).

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1997

Bone reactions to early occlusal loading of two-stage titanium plasma-sprayed implants: a pilot study in monkeys.

This pilot study analyzed the bone reactions to early loaded titanium plasma-sprayed implants. A total of 24 titanium plasma-sprayed implants (12 in the maxilla and 12 in the mandible) (Primary Healing Implant, Legnano) were inserted into four Macaca fascicularis monkeys with instruments specially designed to obtain a precise fit of the implant in the bone socket. A metal superstructure was cemented into 10 mandibular and 10 maxillary implants 15 days after implant insertion. The four remaining implants were used as controls. Eight months after implant placement, a block section was carried out, the defect was filled with nonresorbable hydroxyapatite, and all 24 implants were retrieved. The implants were treated to obtain thin ground sections that were examined under normal and polarized light. Histologic analysis showed that bone was observed around the implant surface in all implants. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that bone lined 67.2% (SD = 3.1%) of the maxillary implant surface, and 80.71% (SD = 4.6%) of the mandibular implant surface. No differences were found in the percentage of bone-implant contact in the control implants. In the loaded implants, however, the bone around the implants had a more compact appearance. The study demonstrated that it is possible to obtain a high percentage of bone-implant contact in early loaded titanium plasma-sprayed implants.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A prothrombotic state in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Cancer is often associated with abnormal activation of coagulation leading to a prothrombotic state. Some chemotherapeutic agents used for cancer may induce thrombosis but their biological alterations in the hemostatic system are not yet well understood. This study evaluated alterations of coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters following chemotherapy. In plasma samples of 38 patients (median age: 49 years) receiving CMF (schedule 1-21 or 1-8) for Stage II breast cancer, we evaluated: PT, aPTT, antithrombin III (AT-III), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment F 1 + 2 (F 1 + 2), fibrinogen (Fbg), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and D-dimer (D-D). PT, aPTT, and Fbg were determined with routine methods; AT-III, PC, and PS were measured with coagulative tests; PC and PS were also evaluated with immunoenzymatic methods, t-PA, PAI-1, D-D, TAT, and F 1 + 2 were measured with immunoenzymatic methods. All tests were performed immediately before starting therapy and after each cycle. A PC antigen decrease appeared soon after beginning therapy and lasted throughout chemotherapy. The lowest values were present after the first treatment both in the CMF 1-21 group (mean +/- SD = 72.5 +/- 10.8%) and in the CMF 1-8 group (mean +/- SD = 77.2 +/- 6.9%): PC activity was also decreased. PS antigen decreased after the first administration (mean +/- SD = 73.3 +/- 10% in CMF 1-21 group, and 72.5 +/- 4.9% in CMF 1-8 group): PS activity also decreased. PAI-1 antigen levels increased (mean +/- SD = 43.1 +/- 20.4 ng/ml in the CMF 1-21 group, and 37.5 +/- 12.2 ng/ml in CMF 1-8 group) lasting up to the last cycle. CMF provokes a trend toward hypercoagulability; this effect should be considered when chemotherapy is employed in advanced cancer patients at high risk for thrombosis, or in patients with other risk factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Indocyanine green angiographic features of pathologic myopia.

PURPOSE: To analyze indocyanine green angiographic findings of pathologic myopia and compare them with those of fluorescein angiography, with particular reference to the usefulness of indocyanine green angiography in the management of neovascular complications. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (52 eyes) with pathologic myopia underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: Retrobulbar arteries and veins were visualized solely on indocyanine green angiography in 33 (63%) of 52 eyes. Choroidal arteries appeared attenuated and reduced in number. In the area of staphyloma, choroidal veins were less numerous, and in all eyes an absence of the normal choroidal flush caused by the choriocapillaris filling was observed. Subretinal and retinal hemorrhages were present in 28 (54%) of 52 eyes. Choroidal neovascularization was diagnosed in 16 eyes on fluorescein angiography and in 18 eyes on indocyanine green angiography. In seven eyes, indocyanine green angiography disclosed lacquer cracks (without choroidal neovascularization), appearing in the late phases as hypofluorescent lines, as the probable cause of the subretinal and retinal hemorrhages. In only one eye did indocyanine green angiography fail to disclose choroidal neovascularization detectable on fluorescein angiography. In two eyes, neither dye could clarify the origin of the hemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green angiography allows identification of retrobulbar arteries and veins, and analysis of the altered choroidal vasculature. Moreover, indocyanine green angiography is a useful diagnostic tool to differentiate lacquer cracks from choroidal neovascularization in retinal and subretinal hemorrhages.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy and computed tomographic scanning in the preoperative evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic computed tomography (CT) provides most of the staging information needed before operation for lung cancer and can reduce the number of exploratory thoracotomies. In recent years a new immunoscintigraphic technique with anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibodies has been shown to be effective in lung cancer staging. This study compares the yields of CT scans and immunoscintigraphy in the preoperative evaluation of the medistinal lymph nodes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: One hundred and thirty one patients believed on clinical grounds to have a operable non-small cell lung cancer were photoscanned with the indium-111 labelled F(ab')2 fragments of the antibody FO23C5. Both planar and single photoemission computed tomography (SPECT) thoracic views were recorded. CT scan of the thorax, abdomen, and brain were obtained in all patients. Seventy of the patients eventually underwent surgery, an additional seven underwent mediastinoscopy or mediastinotomy, and a further 10 had both cervical exploration and thoracotomy. Pathological evaluation of the mediastinal nodes was available in all 87 patients, but in only 80 of them was the diagnosis of lung cancer eventually confirmed. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of planar immunoscintigraphy, SPECT immunoscintigraphy, and CT scanning for N2 disease was 76%, 74%, and 71%, respectively. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity rates were 45%, 77%, 64% and 88%, 72%, and 74%. These were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy has no advantage over conventional CT scanning in assessing mediastinal lymphoadenopathy in patients with lung cancer. CT scanning remains the gold standard test in these patients.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1995

Indocyanine green videoangiography of angioid streaks.

PURPOSE: The fluorescein angiographic features of angioid streaks are variable, and angioid streaks and their main complication, choroidal neovascularization, can sometimes be difficult to visualize in the presence of diffuse pigment migration, diffuse atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, or hemorrhage. The objective of the present investigation was to define the indocyanine green angiographic features of angioid streaks and to compare them with findings on fluorescein angiography. METHODS: For this prospective study, we recruited 22 consecutive patients, 21 of whom had angioid streaks and one who had typical peau d'orange appearance of the fundus. Complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green videoangiography by the means of scanning laser ophthalmoscope were performed on all patients. RESULTS: In 21 patients with angioid streaks and in one patient with peau d'orange appearance of the fundus, indocyanine green videoangiography showed angioid streaks in the form of hyperfluorescent lines with numerous associated hyperfluorescent foci. The angioid streaks were more clearly visualized and were seen to be more numerous and larger by indocyanine green videoangiography than with red-free images or fluorescein angiography. Choroidal neovascularization was suspected in six eyes but could be precisely localized by fluorescein angiography in only three eyes. Indocyanine green angiography allowed precise localization of choroidal neovascularization in all six of these eyes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that indocyanine green videoangiography provides different information than fluorescein angiography in the evaluation of angioid streaks and can more precisely localize their neovascular complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Tissue-type plasminogen activator as marker of functional steroid receptors in human breast cancer.

The relationship between tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen content and receptor status was investigated in 200 human breast cancer cytosols to evaluate the efficacy of t-PA as a marker of functional steroid receptors. t-PA level was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors were assayed by the DCC method. A highly significant correlation was found between t-PA levels and receptor status. The mean +/- SE enzyme content was 13.5 +/- 2.9 in ER+ tumors and 1.8 +/- 0.3 ng/mg protein in ER- tumors; the enzyme content in PgR+ tumors was 14.2 +/- 3.3 and 3.4 +/- 1.4 ng/mg protein in PgR- tumors. When tumors were divided into four subgroups according to receptor content (ER+PgR+, ER+PgR-, ER-PgR+, and ER-PgR-), t-PA concentration was able to differentiate these groups. Also, t-PA level was compared to several clinical variables; it was not correlated with menopausal status or lymph node involvement. However, t-PA content varied according to tumor size. Our data shows that t-PA content in tumor cytosols is statistically related to receptor status and that determination of t-PA levels in breast cancer might furnish additional information as to the functional state of the receptors which may be necessary for planning hormone therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy might be more useful than computed tomography in the preoperative thoracic evaluation of lung cancer. A comparison between planar immunoscintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and computed tomography.

While a clinical, plain radiographic, and bronchoscopic assessment yields most of the essential information needed in lung cancer, computed tomography (CT) of the thorax provides diagnostic information previously unobtainable, potentially capable of reducing the number of explorative thoracotomies. In a few recent studies, immunoscintigraphy with anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) monoclonal antibodies (MA) has shown remarkable staging potential. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques, we photoscanned with indium-111 (111In)-labeled-F(ab')2 fragments of the murine anti-CEA MA FO23C5 45 patients, who were pathologically assessed for possible loco-regional extension of lung cancer. Both planar and single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained. Additionally, CT of the thorax (contiguous CT slices, 10 mm thick, from the lung apices to the upper abdomen), and other routine tests of preoperative evaluation were obtained. On the basis of 37 (N1, T3, and T4), 38 (N2), and 12 (N3) pathologically documented sites, an accuracy of 65, 76, 92, 78, and 86 percent (SPECT images), and 62, 68, 42, 78, and 84 percent (CT images) was calculated (figures are relevant to N1, N2, N3, T3, and T4 disease, respectively). Thus, both techniques shared a significant margin of error in almost all the categories of evaluation; however, immunoscintigraphy showed equivalent, and, in the lymph node assessment, superior results to CT. A marginal improvement of diagnostic accuracy was recorded combining the three techniques in one case (SPECT plus planar immunoscintigraphic images), while there was no benefit in any possible integration of CT and immunoscintigraphic images. In patients with peripheral nonsquamous cell cancers, the accuracy of anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy was of 90 percent or higher. Variations in the modality of performing immunoscintigraphy, such as changes in the dose of antibody fragments to be injected, in the percentage of radiolabeling, or in the time of imaging, affected the quality of immunoscintigraphic series, and the consequent interpretation of findings. At the present time, there are very few reliable tests capable of selecting patients to proceed directly to thoracotomy or to receive some intermediate surgical test, such as a prior mediastinoscopy. Traditionally, CT has been this type of "filter-test." If current findings will be confirmed in future studies, anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy might replace CT in the evaluation of particular subgroups of patients, such as patients with peripheral nonsquamous cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

A light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy analysis of retrieved blade implants after 7 to 20 years of clinical function. A report of 3 cases.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy the thin ground sections of blade implants retrieved after 7 to 20 years of clinical function. Microscopic examination revealed that most of the implant surface had an intimate contact with compact lamellar bone tissue. Higher magnifications revealed the presence of a gap (1 to 5 mu) interposed between bone and implant. Many osteocytes were near the implant surface and, in many instances, osteocyte canaliculi, running from the lacunae towards the implant surface, were seen. Structures similar to bone reversal lines were observed at the edge of the bone side of the interface. The bone-titanium region is probably an area of dynamic biological activity.

Aged↗