title: Scintigraphic evaluation in total knee failure secondary to severe metallosis.
abstract: The scintigraphic findings are described for a patient with severe metallosis in a failed noninfected total knee arthroplasty secondary to metal-metal friction between the femoral and tibial components as a result of polyethylene wear. Technetium-99m phosphate and gallium-67 citrate scans were positive in incongruent uptake areas. This uptake is classically associated with septic loosening. The recommendation is made that metallosis be suspected before surgery as a possible cause of a false positive scan where sequential technetium-gallium scans are employed.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Orthopaedic Centers, HealthSouth Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23294, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Worland
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arredondo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angles
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jessup
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies