Severe metallosis following oxidised zirconium wear in total hip arthroplasty.

To cite: Gkouliopoulou E, Agathangelidis F, Vampertzis T, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2016218025 DESCRIPTION We present a case of a man aged 81 years who underwent a primary cementless total hip arthroplasty. Eight years after the index surgery, failure of the arthroplasty was revealed by the presence of the radiographic ‘cloud sign’ (figure 1). The original components used were the R3 acetabular cup with a Synergy femoral stem, highly crossed linked polyethylene liner and an oxidised zirconium (Oxinium) femoral head (Smith & Nephew Synergy, Memphis, Tennessee, USA). The initial investigation included a CT scan, full blood tests and a tissue biopsy which revealed no malignancy. Subsequently, during revision surgery, there was extensive osteolysis with metallosis. There was black staining of the periprosthetic soft tissues and the hip pseudocapsule was filled with thick black fluid (figure 2). There was severe wear of the femoral head and the polyethylene liner. Following debridement and removal of the components, a revision cementless stem and acetabular cup was used to reconstruct the hip joint. The cloud sign in the plain radiographs—also known as the bubble sign—is an indication of soft tissue metallosis. The findings are usually subtle and the debris is well tolerated by the patients. A few cases with characteristic radiographic findings are reported in the literature, but to the best of our knowledge, the present case is the most impressive due to the extent of the metallosis. 3 Oxidised zirconium is a metallic alloy with a ceramic surface that combines the best of metal and ceramics. However, if the outer surface of the head is damaged, then rapid destruction of the head can occur.