Septic arthritis of the hip in an adult following repeated femoral venipuncture

Novel Antibiotic-Loaded Cement Femoral Head Spacer for the Treatment of Advanced Pyogenic Arthritis in Adult Hip

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to present a treatment for end-stage pyogenic arthritis of the hip using a novel cement spacer. This spacer caused less damage to the proximal femoral bone and made the conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) more convenient while maintaining the advantages of current cement spacers loaded with antibiotics.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 10 consecutive cases of hip pyogenic arthritis with joint destruction. These cases occurred from September 2009 to June 2015. In these cases, we used an antibiotic-loaded, cement spacer that was formed in the shape of the femoral head. This spacer rested on multiple screws that were inserted in the remaining neck of the femur. Once the infection subsided, a conversion to THA was performed in all cases. Evaluation included clinical and radiologic outcomes and the development of complications.

RESULTS

The mean interval between spacer insertion and conversion to THA was 101.6 days (range, 59-187 days). The mean follow-up period from initial spacer insertion was 44.9 months (range, 15-95 months). All cases underwent noncemented THA following the resolution of the initial infection. The mean Harris Hip Scores at initial visit, before conversion to THA, and on final follow-up were 58.8, 71.0, and 92.5, respectively. No case had any spacer-related complications, recurrence of infection, or dislocation.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of advanced pyogenic arthritis with this novel femoral head spacer technique significantly reduced pain, preserved proximal femoral bone and soft tissue tension, controlled infection, improved function, and allowed for easier conversion to THA.

Septic arthritis of the hip following cortisone injection: case report and review of the literature

Septic arthritis of the hip is a serious medical condition that can result in permanent joint dysfunction. This is a case of a 65-year-old woman who underwent therapeutic intraarticular steroid/lidocaine injection for hip pain and subsequently developed septic arthritis. It is critical that radiologists performing these procedures maintain a high index of suspicion in symptomatic patients following intraarticular injections to prevent destruction of the joint.

Group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) pyogenic arthritis in nonpregnant adults

We analyzed the cases of pyogenic arthritis from group B streptococcus (GBS), or, in nonpregnant adults diagnosed in the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, a 1,000-bed tertiary care teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain, during a 10-year period, and we reviewed the available literature to summarize the experience with this infectious entity. From the database of our institution, which does not attend pediatric, obstetric, or burn patients, we collected all microbiologically proven cases of infectious arthritis seen from January 1992 to December 2001. We excluded patients with infection limited to spine; patients with prosthetic joint infection; patients undergoing articular surgery during the year before diagnosis; and those with tuberculous, brucellar, or fungal arthritis. Of a total of 112 patients identified, GBS was the causative organism in 11 (10%) cases. We reviewed the literature using a MEDLINE search (1972-2001), and found 64 additional cases. Of the 75 patients, 34 (45%) were men and 41 (55%) women, with ages ranging from 20 to 87 years (mean age, 57.9 +/- 14.9 yr); 37 patients (49%) were over 60 years. Sixty-eight percent (51/75) of the patients presented with monoarthritis, while in 32% (24/75) more than 1 joint was involved. The most common location was the knee (36%), followed by the shoulder (25%). In 66% (43/65) of cases, bacteremia was documented. In 64% (47/74) of patients, a systemic predisposing factor for infection was noted; the most common conditions were diabetes mellitus, malignancies, and chronic liver diseases. In 31% (23/75) of patients, a concomitant infectious process due to the same microorganism was found, mainly vertebral osteomyelitis and urinary tract infection. Penicillin was the main antibiotic used after bacterial identification; surgical drainage was performed in 36% (27/75) of cases. The overall mortality rate was 9% (7/75). GBS is now a significant causative agent of pyogenic arthritis in nonpregnant adults. In this population, joint infection by GBS is a disease that mainly affects aged patients with underlying medical illnesses; polyarticular involvement, bacteremia, and the presence of a concomitant infectious process are frequent conditions. The case-fatality rate is substantial.

Septic arthritis of the hip after percutaneous femoral artery catheterization

Infection of the hip joint can cause severe articular damage. Standard treatment of septic arthritis includes surgical débridement and intravenous antibiotics. Options for definitive management in the presence of joint destruction include excision arthroplasty, arthrodesis, and total hip arthroplasty. Two cases of septic arthritis of the hip as a complication of femoral artery cannulation are presented. These cases highlight a potential complication that may not be readily appreciated by clinicians who routinely perform femoral vascular cannulation. After all evidence of ongoing infection had disappeared, both cases ultimately were treated with total hip arthroplasty. Both patients have improved function and pain at 2.5 and 5 years of follow-up. Given the frequency with which femoral intravascular catheters are used in numerous procedures, methods of avoiding infection of the hip joint must be implemented. These 2 cases emphasize the potential risks of these procedures and show management with total hip arthroplasty.