title: Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy of one leg--a sign of aortic graft infection.
abstract: We report a rare case of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) confined to the right leg secondary to aortic graft infection. The development of HOA exclusively localized to areas distal to a vascular prosthesis may be the presenting manifestation of graft infection and a crucial diagnostic clue in the early detection of vascular graft infection. HOA is diagnosed by its characteristic radiographic and scintigraphic pattern. Most prosthetic, especially aortic, graft infections are uniformly fatal if not treated by aggressive surgical and antibiotic therapy. Recognition of this uncommon association may facilitate an early diagnosis, which usually requires immediate surgical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spruijt
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Krijgsman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van den Broek
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tutein Nolthenius-Puylaert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000150:complications; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010005:Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000150:complications*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012086:Reoperation