Radiographic detection of metal-induced synovitis as a complication of arthroplasty of the knee.
Radiographs of eighteen patients who had had a diagnosis of metal-induced synovitis subsequent to a knee-replacement arthroplasty were retrospectively reviewed. The presence of a dense line outlining a portion of the capsule or articular surface of the knee joint (the so-called metal-line sign) was noted in association with wear in eleven patients. In the nine patients who had a positive sign and also had specimens available for histological examination, there was dense deposition of metal particles, whereas in the six patients who did not have a metal-line sign and had specimens available for histological examination, five had only a slight amount of metal in the synovial tissue and one, a moderate amount. The presence of the metal-line sign was associated with metal-induced synovitis in eleven of the eighteen patients. The sign should be useful in helping to make this diagnosis preoperatively in many patients.
Weissman
B N
BN
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Scott
R D
RD
Brick
G W
GW
Corson
J M
JM
D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects
D002858:Chromium Alloys; D014025:Titanium