Composition and toxicity of shrapnel in mine-explosive and fragmentation craniocerebral wounds compared to titanium implants: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate elemental composition and cytotoxicity of metal fragments of wounding projectiles based on modern alloys from mine blast and shrapnel craniocerebral wounds in comparison with titanium plates (control) in relation to human cell line T98G (human, glioblastoma, epithelial-like environment EMEM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 12 wounding projectiles removed from the brain. Three ferromagnetic samples were selected to determine composition and cytotoxicity. Composition of fragments was studied using spectral analysis. Surface of samples and their elemental composition were examined using electron microscope (SEM) JSM-7001F (JEOL, Japan) equipped with X-ray spectral microanalysis attachment INCA x-sight (Oxford Instruments, England). Cytotoxicity of medium with wounding projectiles was determined in comparison with control medium using methyl tetrazolium test. Human cell line T98G (human, glioblastoma) (Institute of Cytology, St. Petersburg) was used to study cytotoxicity of fragments and titanium plates (control). Cell morphology was assessed using optical light microscopy. RESULTS: According to elemental analysis, all fragments were represented by alloys of various metals and other chemical elements. Methyl-tetrazolium test revealed high cytotoxicity of all fragments. Titanium VT6 plates were biocompatible with cultured cells. CONCLUSION: All fragments of modern projectiles release toxic metal oxides in nutrient medium significantly reducing viability of cells regardless of elemental composition of fragments. VT6 titanium plates are biocompatible with cultured cells and can be used as implants during surgical interventions.