Performance of radiography and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in painful total hip arthroplasty and impact on arthroplasty survival

Diagnostic and prognostic relevance of plain radiographs for periprosthetic joint infections of the hip: a literature review

Conventional radiography is regularly used to evaluate complications after total hip arthroplasty. In various recent consensus meetings, however, plain radiographs of a potentially infected hip joint have been judged as being only relevant to exclude diagnoses other than infection. Solid data on radiographic presentations of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) are scarce. As a result, the prognostic value of radiological features in low-grade PJI remains uncertain. The present review article aims to present an overview of the available literature and to develop ideas on future perspectives to define the diagnostic possibilities of radiography in PJIs of the hip. The primary outcome of interest of this systematic review was the radiologic presentation of periprosthetic joint infections of the hip. As secondary outcome of interest served the sensitivity and specificity of the radiologic presentation of periprosthetic joint infections. Of the included articles, 26 were reviews, essays, or case reports and only 18 were clinical studies. Typical radiologic abnormalities of PJI were a periosteal reaction, a wide band of radiolucency at the cement-bone or metal-bone interface, patchy osteolysis, implant loosening, bone resorption around the implant, and transcortical sinus tracts. The frequency of their occurrence is still inadequately defined. A deeper understanding of the underlying causes and the relation between microorganisms to radiologic abnormalities can probably help clinicians in the future to diagnose a PJI. This is why further research shall focus on the radiographic features of PJI.

Diagnostic Performance of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography in Aseptic Loosening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical applicability of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in aseptic loosening (AL) of prostheses by meta-analysis.

METHOD

Literature on the diagnostic value of SPECT/CT in AL of prostheses was obtained by computer and manual review. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the Quality Assessment Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and other indicators were calculated, and a forest map and summary receiver operating characteristic were drawn to calculate the area under the curve. Meta-regression analysis was performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity and corresponding subgroup analysis was performed. A Fagan plot, likelihood ratio point plot, and Deek's funnel plot were drawn and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were included. The meta-analysis results showed that the pooled sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT for the diagnosis of aseptic prosthetic loosening were 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.90-0.96) and 0.89, 95% CI (0.78-0.95), respectively while the pooled positive likelihood ratio and pooled negative likelihood ratio were 8.65, 95% CI (4.18-17.90) and 0.07, 95% CI (0.04-0.11), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 130.36, 95% CI (45.18-376.19), and the area under the curve was 0.97, 95% CI (0.95-0.98).

CONCLUSION

As a diagnostic method for AL, SPECT/CT has high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity as well as high diagnostic efficiency. It has good clinical application value and should be a primary choice in the diagnosis of AL after joint replacement.