Cutaneous fistula communicating with the hip in a patient with a painful total hip prosthesis. Demonstration by radionuclide arthrography.

Radionuclide arthrography is becoming increasingly useful in the evaluation of femoral component loosening in patients with a painful total hip prosthesis. Additional potential advantages of radionuclide arthrography include detection of abnormal communications with the hip, such as bursae, abscess cavities, and fistulas. A case of cutaneous fistula communicating with the hip in a patient with loosening and infection of the femoral component of the total hip prosthesis that is clearly demonstrated by radionuclide arthrography is presented.