[Results of scintigraphy with labeled leukocytes for the diagnosis of infectious hip prosthesis loosening].

The present paper reports on the results of a specific scintigraphic examination method for diagnosing infections in cases of loosening of hip prostheses by means of labeled granulocytes. In 103 patients the result of the examination was compared with the result of the bacteriological and/or histological investigation following removal or replacement of the implant. Where there was an infectious loosening of the prosthesis the findings were in agreement with the results of the scintigraphic examination in 83.1% of the cases. It was possible to rule out infectious loosening of the prosthesis in 93% of the cases thus investigated.