title: Presentation of gamma-irradiated-in-air polyethylene wear in the form of a synovial cyst.
abstract: The increased wear of polyethylene sterilized with gamma irradiation in air has well been documented in the total knee arthroplasty literature. Our case report describes a patient with a well-functioning total knee replacement presenting with wear debris synovitis in the form of a large synovial cyst. We discuss this patient's preoperative evaluation, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcome after synovectomy and polyethylene exchange. We also review the current literature on appropriate polyethylene sterilization methods.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA. bredward@mail.mcg.edu
authors.forename: Bryan T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Patrick B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zura
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Corpe
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020959:Polyethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene