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No association between pseudotumors, high serum metal-ion levels and metal hypersensitivity in large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty at 5–7-year follow-up

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Abstract

Objective

The relationship between metal wear debris, pseudotumor formation and metal hypersensitivity is complex and not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of pseudotumor formation in a consecutive series of metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to investigate its relationship to serum metal-ion levels and hypersensitivity to metal.

Methods

Forty-one patients (31 males), mean age 52 (28–68) years, with a total of 49 large-head MoM THA participated in a 5–7-year follow-up study. Patients underwent ultrasonography, serum metal-ion concentrations were measured, metal allergy and atopic dermatitis were evaluated, and the questionnaires of the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were completed.

Results

Pseudotumors were found in eight patients, but they were asymptomatic and their serum metal-ion levels were similar to those observed in patients with no pseudotumors (p > 0.36). The capsule-stem distance of mean 8.6 mm (SD 3.82, 95 % CI: 5.40–11.79) was wider (p = 0.02) in patients with pseudotumours than in patients without pseudotumors of mean 5.6 mm (SD 2.89, 95 % CI: 4.68–6.58). Positive patch test reactions were seen in three patients. Higher serum metal-ion levels of chromium and cobalt were significantly correlated with steeper cup inclination and smaller femoral head sizes, and were associated with female gender (p < 0.04).

Conclusion

We found no association between pseudotumor formation, serum metal-ion levels, metal patch test reactivity, and atopic dermatitis. However, clinicians should be aware of asymptomatic pseudotumors, and we advise further exploration into the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of pseudotumors.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Lone Løvgren, Rikke Mørup, and Inger Krog-Mikkelsen for their help with arranging the 5–7-year follow-up.

Authors’ contributions

All authors made substantive intellectual contributions to this study to qualify as authors. MHH, KS, MS, IM, JSS, LB, and JPT were involved in the study hypothesis and follow-up examinations. MHH performed the data analyses and wrote the initial manuscript. MS, IM, KS, JSS, LB, and JPT helped revise it. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Mette Holm Hjorth, Maiken Stilling, Kjeld Soballe, Inger Mechlenburg & Stig Storgaard Jakobsen

  2. Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Lars Hans Bolvig

  3. Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jacob Pontoppidan Thyssen

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  1. Mette Holm Hjorth
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Correspondence to Mette Holm Hjorth.

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Hjorth, M.H., Stilling, M., Soballe, K. et al. No association between pseudotumors, high serum metal-ion levels and metal hypersensitivity in large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty at 5–7-year follow-up. Skeletal Radiol 45, 115–125 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2264-8

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