Dislocation of total hip arthroplasty prosthesis after transarterial embolization of a pseudoaneurysm: case report

While pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA), subsequent prosthesis dislocation after embolization is even more exceptional. We report such a case and discuss the potential underlying mechanisms.

We report the case of an 83-year-old woman who developed a right medial femoral circumflex artery pseudoaneurysm one month after THA, for which she underwent emergent transarterial embolization (TAE). One day after the procedure, she returned to the emergency department with a THA dislocation. Computed tomography (CT) imaging confirmed that the pseudoaneurysm had enlarged and transformed into a hematoma following TAE. The resulting mass effect led to a rare complication: mechanical displacement leading to dislocation of the prosthesis. The patient underwent open reduction with evacuation of the blood clot and was discharged in stable condition.

Clinicians should be aware that pseudoaneurysms may rapidly progress into hematomas following embolization. The resulting increase in mass effect can lead to the mechanical displacement of a prosthesis-an exceptionally rare complication that requires prompt diagnosis and management.