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Microstructural characterization of CPPD and hydroxyapatite crystal depositions on human menisci
Author(s) -
Katsamenis Orestis L.,
Karoutsos Vagelis,
Kontostanos Konstantinos,
Panagiotopoulos Elias C.,
Papadaki Helen,
Bouropoulos Nikolaos
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
crystal research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.377
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1521-4079
pISSN - 0232-1300
DOI - 10.1002/crat.201200346
Subject(s) - triclinic crystal system , scanning electron microscope , monoclinic crystal system , crystallography , raman spectroscopy , materials science , meniscus , raman microspectroscopy , microscopy , crystal (programming language) , electron microscope , chemistry , crystal structure , composite material , pathology , optics , programming language , physics , incidence (geometry) , computer science , medicine
Meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous tissue composed mainly of water and a dense elaborate collagen network with a predominantly circumferential alignment. Crystal formation and accumulation on meniscal tissue is frequently observed especially in elderly. In this study, we used X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR and FT‐Raman for the structural identification of the depositions and Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) and Atomic Force microscopy (AFM), in order to investigate the structural relationship between the crystal deposits and the collagen fibers of human meniscal tissues. We are reporting on the formation of intercalary “colonies” of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD) crystals with two distinct morphologies corresponding to the monoclinic and the triclinic phase, as well as the formation of micro‐aggregations composed of nano‐crystalline HAP aggregations which are developed along the longitudinal axis of collagen fibers without extensively disturbing the collagens arrangement.