Histological examination of β‐tricalcium phosphate graft in human femur

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Abstract
Prominent osteoconductive activity and the biodegradable nature of beta tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) for bone grafts in animal experiments has been reported. A new type of β‐TCP has been manufactured at extraordinarily high purity and has been available as potent bone grafting substitute for clinical use. The histological features of grafted β‐TCP in human bone have been analyzed. A 33‐year‐old female with a bone tumor of the proximal femur underwent curettage and β‐TCP graft under the diagnosis of probable benign fibrous dysplasia. Four weeks later, the proximal femur, including the grafted β‐TCP was resected because of the final diagnosis of the curettaged materials was osteosarcoma. The resected specimen revealed abundant direct new bone apposition on β‐TCP. There was no cartilaginous tissue or enchondral ossification. Bone formation was more prominent in the periphery of the grafted area than in the center. There was a considerable number of osteoclast‐like giant cells surrounding the β‐TCP. This case illustrated that highly purified β‐TCP had prominent osteoconductive activity and biodegradable nature in human bone. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 601–604, 2002