Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) cells freshly isolated from adipose tissue include osteogenic- and vascular-progenitors, yet their relevance in bone fracture healing is currently unknown. Here, we investigated whether human SVF cells directly contribute to the repair of experimental fractures in nude rats, and explored the feasibility/safety of their clinical use for augmentation of upper arm fractures in elderly individuals. Human SVF cells were loaded onto ceramic granules within fibrin gel and implanted in critical nude rat femoral fractures after locking-plate osteosynthesis, with cell-free grafts as control. After 8 weeks, only SVF-treated fractures did not fail mechanically and displayed formation of ossicles at the repair site, with vascular and bone structures formed by human cells. The same materials combined with autologous SVF cells were then used to treat low-energy proximal humeral fractures in 8 patients (64-84 years old) along with standard open reduction and internal fixation. Graft manufacturing and implantation were compatible with intraoperative settings and led to no adverse reactions, thereby verifying feasibility/safety. Biopsies of the repair tissue after up to 12 months, upon plate revision or removal, demonstrated formation of bone ossicles, structurally disconnected and morphologically distinct from osteoconducted bone, suggesting the osteogenic nature of implanted SVF cells. We demonstrate that SVF cells, without expansion or exogenous priming, can spontaneously form bone tissue and vessel structures within a fracture-microenvironment. The gained clinical insights into the biological functionality of the grafts, combined with their facile, intra-operative manufacturing modality, warrant further tests of effectiveness in larger, controlled trials. Stem Cells 2016;34:2956-2966.

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In the present study the variation of the localisation and the course of the coronal suture (CS) was examined on the lateral skull X-ray. The study shows a variation of the localisation and course of the CS from the average position within +/- 4 mm in 65-77% and extreme differences between minimum and maximum values between 16 and 21 mm. The CS has also a considerable variation in its localisation relative to the precentral gyrus. Additionally the craniocerebral relationships and the localisation of the precentral gyrus and pyramidal tract are altered by the lesion or the space occupying process itself. A more exact localisation of the precentral gyrus, respectively the pyramidal tract can be obtained with CT and intraoperative cortical stimulation of the motor strip.

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