title: Metallosis: A diagnosis not only in patients with metal-on-metal prostheses.
abstract: Although the real actual incidence of metallosis is unknown, it is described as a rare diagnosis with a 5% estimated incidence in the hip prosthetic replacements. The adoption of non-metallic articular prosthetic devices, made of polyethylene and ceramic, is the main reason to the diminishing number of reported cases. We present a case of metallosis with a clinical systemic presentation in a patient with a non-metallic hip prosthesis, which occurred due to a fracture of the acetabular liner component, leading to abnormal metal-metal contact. The metallic debris leads to a massive local and systemic release of cytokines. Revision is necessary whenever osteolysis and loosening of the prosthesis occur. Imaging evaluation, especially CT, has a central role in diagnosis and planning the surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department and Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Catarina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department and Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Candelária
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department and Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Department, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department and Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caseiro-Alves
keywords: Computed tomography; Hip prosthesis; Metallosis