[Iliopsoas bursal distension revealing complication of total hip arthroplasty: five cases]

The iliopsoas bursa is situated immediately anterior to the hip joint. Communication can develop between a hip prosthesis and the iliopsoas bursa leading to distension and formation of an inguinal mass revealing complication of total hip arthroplasty. We report five clinical cases. The five patients with a total hip arthroplasty developed a mass in the Scarpa triangle which correlated with defective prosthesis function. We chose not to dissect the cystic mass but to treat the intra-articular cause. Symptoms resolved after the intervention in all cases. This rare condition should be envisioned if an inguinal mass develops or has a functional impact, particularly on the lymphovenous circulation. Anatomic relations can be distinguished with computed tomography. Prosthetic complications include infection, loosening or wear. The work-up should include search for infection and standard x-rays of the hip joint. Before surgery, duplex Doppler should be performed systematically to search for a thromboembolic complication.