Pseudotumor from ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most performed surgical interventions in the world. Adverse local tissue reactions and pseudotumors are infrequent but dangerous eventualities, which are often related with metal-on-metal or metal-on-polyethylene implants. This study wants to highlight how adverse local tissue reactions and pseudotumors must be taken into consideration during the diagnostic process.

We report the case of a patient with ceramic-on-ceramic modular total hip arthroplasty with titanium neck. 12 years after surgery, he complained of pain and swelling on the hip. Diagnostic tests revealed the presence of a bulky pseudotumor. During the revision surgery biopsy samples were taken and microscopical analysis revealed the presence of fibrous tissue, fibrin hemorrhagic collections, histiocytes and chronic inflammation due to foreign body, with dark refractive material of an exogenous nature.

The possible formation of pseudotumor and metallosis reactions in hip prostheses with metal-on-metal coupling or in couplings with polyethylene is known. Many cases of pseudotumor are reported after revision of prostheses due to the breakage of ceramic components, but we did not observe any damage or corrosion of the prosthetic elements; on the other hand, we noticed an excessive retroversion of the femoral neck. It may be possible that an accurate microscopic analysis could clarify the failure of this implant.

To date ceramic-ceramic coupling remains the gold standard in terms of resistance and durability for hip arthroplasty but there is still a gap of knowledge in the field of tribology and individual immune response mechanisms.