Osseous hydatidosis of the proximal femur: a rare diagnosis in revision total hip arthroplasty.

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal hydatidosis is a rare but severe disease in central Europe. This case report presents the incidental finding of an osseous hydatidosis after cementless revision total hip arthroplasty in a patient without a preoperative history of hydatidosis or any clinical symptoms. Revision total hip arthroplasty had been necessary due to a septic osteonecrosis of the femoral head 2 years after osteosynthesis of a traumatic proximal femur fracture with a sliding hip screw. The positive sample was taken out of the greater trochanter in the area of the possible former entry point for the lag screw, which was macroscopic inconspicuous. Sero-analysis could afterwards confirm the suspected diagnosis. Postoperative chemotherapy with albendazole was performed for 6 months. A full-body MRI did not reveal any further cysts. This case demonstrates a possible impact of migration on the expected pathogens in revision arthroplasty. This demonstrates that in revision arthroplasty, an infection with this parasite also has to be taken into account, if the patients come from an area endemic for hydatidosis.