Aggressive granulomatous pseudotumor following total hip prosthesis: Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies from a single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION

Granuloma formation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) can occur regardless of the bearing surface. In very rare cases, extensive granulomas mimicking tumors may develop which are known as pseudotumors. The aim of this study is to report on these rare yet complex situations to stimulate reflection in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

METHODS

A retrospective case series study of 5 patients (2 females, 3 males) of aggressive granulomatous lesions on primary prostheses and 4 revision prostheses for aseptic loosening, implanted at a mean age of 74.8 years (range 64-83). A clinical, functional, radiographic, and anatomopathological analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent revision surgery, while one died before intervention. Functional impairment was significant with a mean pre-reintervention Postel-Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) score of 8.2 (range 4-11). Femoral involvement was constant, associated with acetabular involvement in only one case. bony involvement was major, with a minimum of 5 Gruen zones affected, showing complete cortical lysis. Histopathological analysis consistently revealed multinucleated giant cells and macrophages, predominantly with metallic wear particles. In 2 cases, vascular involvement was suspected without a clearly delineated tumor. Two cases required femoral resection prostheses, one necessitated inter-ilio-abdominal amputation due to extensive soft tissue involvement, one underwent implant removal which failed to prevent progression, and one patient died before reoperation.

CONCLUSION

The volume of lesions in these 5 cases appears markedly larger than reported cases.Extensive pseudo-tumoral granulomatous lesions following THA are rare but carry poor functional prognosis. Evaluation to rule out infection and neoplastic pathology is imperative. Surgical management often resembling tumor treatment should be considered. Early diagnosis is crucial to allow intervention before reaching the stage of massive prosthetic replacement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV retrospective study.