[The methods and place of digital subtraction arthrography of the hip in detecting endoprosthesis loosening].

Digital subtraction arthrography (DSAr) of the operated hip is presented and compared to nuclide bone scan and plain radiograph. Surgical proof was obtained in 47 patients. In the evaluation DSAr proved to be superior to nuclide bone scan and plain radiograph. DSAr had the best predictive value in the diagnosis of loosening of a prosthesis. In contrast to conventional arthrography there is a better differentiation between the contrast medium, the prosthesis, the acrylic cement and the bone by using DSAr. In addition DSAr presents the advantage of postprocessing, especially pixel shift.