Abstract
Introduction
Neck-stem corrosion has been associated with Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR) in dual-taper femoral stems. Several diagnostic tests, of varying specificity and sensitivity, are used to identify ALTR. The purpose of this study was to document the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and surgical findings in a large cohort of patients with dual modular stems, and use this information to propose an evaluation protocol that assists surgical decision-making.
Methods
This is a single center, single surgeon's retrospective case series of 38 patients who underwent 42 primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a dual-taper femoral components between March 2010 and May 2011 The evaluation included clinical exam, hip radiographs, labs including serum metal ion levels, metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS MRI), and fluoroscopic hip aspiration with qualitative and quantitative assessment of synovial fluid. Each hip aspirate was classified into Class 1 (clear, <10cc), 2(brown, clear, >10cc), or 3 (cloudy, turbid, viscous). 20 patients to date have undergone revision THA.
Results
19/42 hips were symptomatic. Serum cobalt levels were elevated in 38/42 patients. 23/42 had abnormal MRI findings. MRI was able to identify abnormalities in 79% (15/19) of symptomatic patients and 35% (8/23) asymptomatic patients. Class 2 and 3 hip aspirates were associated with abnormal MRI (in 86% and 61%, respectively), elevated Cobalt, and a high rate of revision (71% and 72%, respectively). ESR and CRP were normal in most patients (76% and 66%, respectively). A small subset of patients (2/38) with symptoms, normal metal ion levels and normal MRI, had abnormal aspirates (Class 2 or 3) with extensive tissue necrosis at revision.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of ALTR can be challenging and requires integrating data from several sources: clinical exam, radiographs, serum metal testing, MARS MRI and hip aspirations. Hip aspiration appears to be useful not only in excluding infection, as proposed in current literature, but also in identifying ALTR in patients with otherwise normal tests. Abnormal results on MARS MRI and/or hip aspiration appear to be most predictive of surgical pathology. Both should be included in the protocol to evaluate for underlying ALTR in patients with dual-taper femoral stems.
