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'Pointing' in the wrong direction--a case of diverticulitis presenting at the hip
S Haleem1, R Clifton, N A Quraishi
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK. dr_shahnawaz@yahoo.com
Summary
A pelvic diverticular abscess caused a hip prosthesis infection. Preoperative planning is crucial to prevent unnecessary risks to non-infected hip implants.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- A 73-year-old female presented with a draining sinus from a recent right total hip arthroplasty wound.
- Initial plain radiographs showed gas shadows near the surgical site.
Observation:
- An intra-operative sinogram was performed to investigate the origin of the sinus tract.
- The sinogram revealed the sinus originated from a pelvic diverticular abscess.
Findings:
- The hip prosthesis was deemed an "innocent bystander" to the diverticular abscess.
- The infection was not directly related to the hip joint itself.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical need for thorough preoperative assessment and relevant investigations.
- Accurate diagnosis prevents unnecessary surgical interventions and risks to orthopedic implants.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering adjacent organ pathology in post-operative wound complications.
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