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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 08(02): 107-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632438
Clinical Report
Schattauer GmbH

Necrotizing Granulomas within the Periprosthetic Tissues of Cemented and Cementless Total Arthroplasties

J. H. Boss
1   From the Department of Pathology
3   Association of Patients with Implanted Joints, Haifa, Israel
,
I. Shajrawi
1   From the Department of Pathology
,
M. Luria
1   From the Department of Pathology
,
D. G. Mendes
2   Center for Implant Surgery, Bnai-Zion Medical Center
3   Association of Patients with Implanted Joints, Haifa, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 15 August 1994

Publication Date:
10 February 2018 (online)

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Necrotizing granulomas were found in the pseudocapsule or interfacial membrane of two patients with an aseptically loosened cemented total hip arthroplasty and in one patient with an aseptically loosened cementless knee arthroplasty. The environs of the necrotizing granulomas disclosed prosthetic debris-induced foreign body granulomatous, chronic inflammatory and cicatrizing changes. Particulate breakdown products of polyethylene and finely dispersed metallic particles were present in the necrotic core, stroma and macrophages of the necrotizing granulomas. A review of the literature and the authors’ personal experience attests to the rarity of such granulomas in the periprosthetic tissues. Polyethylene being non-antigenic, it is suggested that an allergic-pathergic reaction to metallic ions released in loco from the prosthesis itself, from the deposited metallic wear particles or from both accounts for the development of the necrotizing granulomas.

Keywords

Necrotizing granuloma - allergic and pathergic reaction - arthroplasty - biomaterials - metallosis
 

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