Radiographic loosening of cementless threaded acetabular cups No additional diagnostic value of arthrography in 30 patients

Abstract

We compared arthrography with plain radiographs in 30 consecutive patients having a clinical diagnosis of loosening of a smooth-threaded acetabular prosthesis (Mecron, Berlin). Leakage of contrast at the interface between the ring and the bone on the medial side of the prosthesis was seen in 21 patients. Loosening of the cup was also visible on the plane radiographs and loosening was confirmed in all these patients at revision surgery. No false positive arthrographies were seen. In one patient, the arthrography was false negative because of a technical failure. We conclude that no additional information was obtained by arthrography.