Necrotic and inflammatory changes in metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthroplasties.
BACKGROUND
Necrosis and inflammation in peri-implant soft tissues have been described in failed second-generation metal-on-metal (MoM) resurfacing hip arthroplasties and in the pseudotumors associated with these implants. The precise frequency and significance of these tissue changes is unknown.


METHODS
We analyzed morphological and immunophenotypic changes in the periprosthetic soft tissues and femoral heads of 52 revised MoM arthroplasties (fracture in 21, pseudotumor in 13, component loosening in 9, and other causes in 9 cases).


RESULTS
Substantial necrosis was observed in the periprosthetic connective tissue in 28 of the cases, including all pseudotumors, and 5 cases of component loosening. A heavy, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltrate composed mainly of HLA-DR+/CD14+/CD68+ macrophages and CD3+ T cells was seen in 45 of the cases. Perivascular lymphoid aggregates composed of CD3+ cells and CD20+ B cells were noted in 27 of the cases, but they were not seen in all cases of component loosening or pseudotumors. Plasma cells were noted in 30 cases. Macrophage granulomas were noted in 6 cases of component loosening. In the bone marrow of the femoral head, a macrophage and T cell response was seen in 31 of the cases; lymphoid aggregates were noted in 19 of the cases and discrete granulomas in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that there is a spectrum of necrotic and inflammatory changes in response to the deposition of cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr) wear particles in periprosthetic tissues. Areas of extensive coagulative necrosis and a macrophage and T lymphocyte response occur in implant failure and pseudotumors, in which there is also granuloma formation. The pathogenesis of these changes is uncertain but it may involve both a cytotoxic response and a delayed hypersensitivity (type IV) response to Co-Cr particles.
Mahendra
Gayana
G
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oxford, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Headington, Oxford, UK.
Pandit
Hemant
H
Kliskey
Karolina
K
Murray
David
D
Gill
Harinderjit Singh
HS
Athanasou
Nick
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006104:Granuloma, Plasma Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation
D008670:Metals; D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt