J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2008 Feb;43(1):107-111. 10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.1.107.

Intrapelvic Granulomatous Mass Causing Ipsilateral Lower Leg Swelling following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report

• Lee CK
• Lee JS
• Suh KT

• KMID: 2106424
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.1.107

Abstract

The usual causes of unilateral lower extremity swelling after total hip arthroplasty include deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency and less frequently an infection or a neoplasm. Unilateral deep vein thrombosis or swelling of the lower extremity due to an intrapelvic granulomatous mass after total hip arthroplasty is quite unusual. We report a rare case of a patient with an intrapelvic granulomatous mass causing deep vein thrombosis and unilateral lower leg swelling after total hip arthroplasty with a review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Total hip arthroplasty; Lower leg swelling; Deep vein thrombosis; Granulomatous mass

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Hip
Humans
Leg
Lower Extremity
Venous Insufficiency
Venous Thrombosis

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A photograph showing the swelling of the left leg.

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  Fig. 2 Both hip anteroposterior radiograph demonstrating severe wear or disassembly of the acetabular polyethylene liner of the left hip.

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  Fig. 3 Color Doppler ultrasonogram demonstrating a thrombus of the superficial femoral vein, measuring 2.4×1.2 cm.

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  Fig. 4 Computed tomography scan of the pelvis showing a 10×10×12 cm sized large cyst, compressing the iliopsoas muscle, external iliac vein (arrow head) and bladder.

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  Fig. 5 (A) A photograph of the inner surface of the mass, showing metallosis between the prosthetic head and acetabular cup. (B) Polarized light microscopy demonstrating birefringent material indicative of polyethylene wear debris.

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