The imaging appearances of metallosis

E J Heffernan; F O Alkubaidan; T O Nielsen; P L Munk

doi:10.1007/s00256-007-0362-y

The imaging appearances of metallosis

Skeletal Radiol. 2008 Jan;37(1):59-62. doi: 10.1007/s00256-007-0362-y. Epub 2007 Sep 18.

Authors

E J Heffernan¹, F O Alkubaidan, T O Nielsen, P L Munk

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. ejheffernan@eircom.net

PMID: 17876581
DOI: 10.1007/s00256-007-0362-y

Abstract

Metallosis is an uncommon condition in which there is infiltration of periprosthetic soft tissues and bone by metallic debris resulting from wear of joint arthroplasties. It is often associated with significant osteolysis; therefore the identification of metallosis is an indication for revision arthroplasty. The radiographic, CT and MRI features of metallosis in a 63-year-old man who presented 16 years post-arthroplasty are described in this case report.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects
Contrast Media / administration & dosage
Foreign-Body Reaction / diagnosis
Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging
Hip Joint / pathology
Hip Joint / surgery
Hip Prosthesis / adverse effects*
Humans
Image Enhancement
Joint Diseases / diagnosis*
Joint Diseases / etiology
Joint Diseases / surgery
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Metals / adverse effects*
Middle Aged
Osteolysis / diagnosis
Osteolysis / etiology
Osteolysis / surgery
Pain / etiology
Prosthesis Failure*
Reoperation
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

Contrast Media
Metals