Updated: 2/22/2022

THA Pseudotumor (Metal on Metal Reactions)

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  • Summary
    • A metal-on-metal (MoM) THA pseudotumor, also known as aseptic lymphocyte-dominant vasculitis-associated lesion (ALVAL), is a mass-forming tissue reaction caused by metal-on-metal wear
    • Diagnosis involves obtain meta-subtraction MRI studies in the setting of elevated serum metal ion levels (cobalt, chromium)
    • Treatment is typically revision arthroplasty for symptomatic pseudotumor with elevated metal ions
  • Epidemiology
    • Incidence
      • 10-15% of patients with MoM THA have a pseudotumor
      • 45-50% of revisions in patients with MoM THA are due to pseudotumor or adverse local tissue reaction
    • Risk factors
      • elevated cobalt and chromium levels
      • female gender
      • high acetabulum inclination angle > 55°
  • Etiology
    • Pathophysiology
      • mechanism
        • two different mechanisms have been proposed for formation of pseudotumors:
          • hypersensitivity to metal ions
          • local high wear debris
      • variability in distribution of metal debris, degree of necrosis, and number, type, and arrangement of inflammatory cells
        • macrophages and lymphocytes are present in all cases with lymphocytes being predominant
          • patient's with high wear have more macrophages than those with primarily hypersensitivity to metal ions
          • patients with extensive infiltrates of macrophages tend to have smaller lymphocytic aggregates.
  • Presentation
    • History
      • patient may complain of gradual onset of symptoms or a sudden inciting pain in the groin
    • Symptoms
      • common symptoms
        • may be asymptomatic
        • groin pain
        • trendelenburg gait
    • Physical Exam
      • inspection
        • soft tissue masses around the hip may be present
      • neurovascular
        • usually normal
      • provocative tests
        • groin pain with flexion, IR and adduction
        • groin pain with rising from a chair
  • Imaging
    • Radiographs
      • recommended views
        • AP pelvis, AP and lateral of affected hip
      • findings
        • will show metal-on-metal THA
        • necessary to rule out peri-prosthetic fractures as source of pain
        • may show peri-prosthetic bony erosion, commonly seen in calcar region
    • MRI with Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence (MARS)
      • indications
        • normal radiographs in the setting of elevated metal ion levels (cobalt, chromium)
      • findings
        • a pseudotumor will appear like a fluid collection or solid mass in periprosthetic soft tissues
        • T1 weighted images will show signal similar to bladder contents (transudate)
        • T2 weighted images will generally show hyperintensity as compared to muscle and may be heterogenous or homogenous
          • the hypointense content observed in T2 sequences may be related to the presence of necrosis or metal deposition
  • Studies
    • Serum labs
      • WBC, ESR and CRP
      • metal ion levels (cobalt, chromium)
        • serum metal ion concentration highest at 12-24 months following index surgery
          • correlates with the initial "wear in" or "run-in" phase of increased particle generation, but then followed by a "steady state" phase of decreased particle generation
        • values > 7 parts per billion (ppb, or ug/L) generally an indication for advanced imaging with MRI
    • Invasive studies
      • Hip aspiration
        • synovial fluid analysis will allow for differentiation of a metallosis from periprosthetic infection
        • gross appearance of metallosis generally described as "dishwater fluid" with watery, grayish and hazy appearance
        • manual cell count necessary
          • fibrinous debris from metal-on-metal reactions will falsely elevate automated cell counts
  • Treatment
    • Nonoperative
      • observation
        • indications
          • well functioning THA with low metal ions and no pseudotumor on MRI
        • outcomes
          • studies show that around 40% of patients with a pseudotumor are asymptomatic
    • Operative
      • revision THA to ceramic-on-polyethelyne components
        • indications
          • painful metal on metal THA, elevated metal ions, pseudotumor on MRI
            • rate of revision THA due to symptomatic pseudotumor is only 1.7–5.6%
          • most patients with pain, elevated ions or a psudotumor on MRI require operative intervention
        • outcomes
          • significant bone loss, soft tissue destruction, degree of abductor muscle deficiency and poorlocal environment for healing corresponds to difficulty of revision and functional outcomes
            • if severely compromised abductor function or damaged soft-tissue affects implant stability, may require the use of a contrained liner
              • gluteus maximus transfer can be used to reconstruct deficient abductor mechanism 
            • higher rates of dislocation and infection
  • Techniques
    • Observation
      • technique
        • in the asymptomatic patient, serial hip radiographs to assess for wear, or component loosening can be performed
    • Revision THA to ceramic-on-polyethelyne components
      • approach
        • depends on location of tumor and surgeon preferene
          • direct lateral and direct anterior commonly cited
      • technique
        • can be single stage or 2 stages depending on surgeon preference or presence/concern of infection
        • depend on bone loss, abductor defiency and soft tissue damage
        • constraint liners may be required if severe abductor deficiency is present
      • complications
        • instability
        • deep infection
        • aseptic loosening
        • persistent iliopsoas tendonitis
        • persistent metal related reaction
  • Complications
    • Repeat revision THA
      • incidence
        • 14-20% of revision THAs performed due to a MoM pseudotumor require a 2nd operation within 5 years
      • treatment
        • revision THA to address reason for repeat failure
    • Pseudotumor induced femoral nerve palsy
      • incidence
        • rare, only case reports noted
      • treatment
        • decompression and revision THA to ceramic-on polyethelyne components
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(OBQ20.204) A 64-year-old woman underwent a right metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA) utilizing a bimodular femoral stem and monoblock acetabular cup for degenerative joint disease 8 years prior. Her postoperative course was initially uncomplicated, however over the past 3 years she complains of worsening pain in the hip. Her radiographs are unremarkable and a recent MRI is seen in Figure A. On physical examination, she is noted to have a slight limp during ambulation and reports pain with resisted straight leg raise or log rolling. Her laboratory studies reveal markedly elevated serum cobalt and chromium concentrations. Infection has been successfully ruled out. What is the best treatment option for the patient at this time?

QID: 215615
FIGURES:

Continued observation with repeat imaging in 1 year

1%

(5/920)

Perform a head and liner exchange with I&D

11%

(99/920)

Revision of both acetabular and femoral components to include a ceramic on polyethylene bearing with I&D

85%

(785/920)

Revision of the acetabular component with exchange to a larger cobalt-chromium head with I&D

2%

(21/920)

I&D alone

0%

(3/920)

L 1 E

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(SBQ16HK.16) A 45-year-old female is referred to you for evaluation of her right hip. Five years ago, she was involved in a motor vehicle collision and sustained a femoral head fracture that was treated with a hip surface replacement arthroplasty. Her post-operative course was unremarkable and she didn't have any issues until 4 months ago when she noticed subtle hip and groin pain. She is otherwise healthy and wants to begin training for a marathon but is concerned about her hip due to television ads about metal-on-metal devices. Her radiographs show a well-placed implant and are otherwise unremarkable. What test would best evaluate for the most concerning complication from this implant?

QID: 211284

CT including the pelvis, hip, and femur

6%

(115/1865)

Whole body triple-phase bone scan

2%

(28/1865)

MRI with metal artifact reduction sequence

46%

(851/1865)

Serum cobalt and chromium levels

38%

(718/1865)

Serum cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel levels

8%

(145/1865)

L 5 B

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(OBQ15.118) Figure A is a histologic specimen of a joint pseudocapsule surrounding a cobalt-chromium second-generation metal-on-metal (MOM) hip replacement prostheses. The dark areas represent:

QID: 5803
FIGURES:

Particle-laden histiocytes

4%

(99/2626)

Infiltrates of T-lymphocytes

38%

(1008/2626)

Infiltrates of B-lymphocytes

7%

(186/2626)

Infiltrates of T- and B-lymphocytes

17%

(441/2626)

Particle-laden macrophages

33%

(872/2626)

L 5 D

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(OBQ13.20) A 38-year-old female patient presents to your office three years after a hip resurfacing. She complains of worsening left hip discomfort for the last 6 months. Her ESR is 12 (normal 0-20) and CRP is 1.2 (0-5). A radiograph and axial and coronal MRI scans are shown in Figures A, B, and C. What is the most likely diagnosis?

QID: 4655
FIGURES:

Infection

1%

(52/5643)

Type I Hypersensitivity reaction

3%

(171/5643)

Femoral neck fracture

6%

(323/5643)

Prosthesis Loosening

10%

(545/5643)

Pseudotumor

80%

(4521/5643)

L 2 B

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(OBQ13.270) Figure A shows a radiograph of a 62-year-old female that underwent a left total hip arthroplasty 5 years ago. She presents to your office with insidious onset of left groin and buttock pain. She denies trauma, fever or chills. On physical examination, her left hip has mild pain with range of motion. She has a normal gait cycle, normal power across the hip and her vitals signs are stable. A left hip aspirate was performed and results are shown in Figure B. What is the most likely cause of her hip pain?

QID: 4905
FIGURES:

Periprosthetic bacterial hip infection

8%

(350/4226)

Periprosthetic hip fracture

0%

(20/4226)

Large-particle wear debris disease

15%

(650/4226)

Pseudotumor hypersensitivity response

74%

(3127/4226)

Abductor tendon tear

1%

(52/4226)

L 3 B

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(SAE07HK.3) A metal-on-metal bearing used for total hip arthroplasty shows which of the following properties?

QID: 5963

Baseline serum ion levels increase with increasing activity levels.

29%

(163/571)

The risk of cancer is substantially increased.

1%

(5/571)

Linear ion production increases over time.

17%

(96/571)

Ions produced are excreted primarily through the kidney.

49%

(279/571)

Nickel is the most prevalent ion released into circulation.

4%

(23/571)

N/A E

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