Friday, 2 June 2017

Popliteal Cyst Complicated by Fistula after Failed Total Knee Arthroplasty

                               http://mathewsopenaccess.com/orthopedics-current-issue.html



Dissecting or ruptured popliteal cysts occur most frequently as a result of intra-articular knee pathology. Dissecting popliteal cyst after total knee arthroplasty is a rare occurrence. It has been reported that the cyst was associate with a failed total knee arthroplasty(TKA) related to polyethylene wear particles or prosthesis loosening. Occasionally prosthetic loosening is difficult to be differentiated from a post-TKA infection. We report a case of popliteal cyst complicated by popliteal fistula resulting from prosthetic loosening, which was difficult to be differentiated from a post-TKA infection.

The patient, a 77-year-old man, underwent Lt TKA 10 years ago with a diagnosis of OA by another physician. Ten days after surgery, symptoms suggestive of a postoperative infection, such as swelling and local heat of the left knee, developed. Administration of an antibiotic brought the condition to a quiescent state. Six months after surgery, the swelling and local heat returned to the left knee; and this time the patient was subjected to arthroscopic synovectomy. Candida was isolated from the specimen obtained during the surgical procedure. Although he had been free of the symptoms since then, 4 years after surgery the arthritic symptoms recurred. Plain radiograms showed osteolytic lesions at the distal femur, medial side of the proximal tibia, and patella. The pain exacerbated. 

A fistula had formed at the popliteal region with a discharge. The patient was referred to us for further examination and treatment. A physical examination revealed swelling, slight local heat, and joint effusion of the left knee joint. The range of motion was 0 ~ 110°. An articular puncture yielded a bloody joint fluid but the results from a bacterial culture were negative. The popliteal region was slightly erythematous and locally feverish and had formed two fistulas, which were exudative.

The patient, a 77-year-old man, underwent Lt TKA 10 years ago with a diagnosis of OA by another physician. Ten days after surgery, symptoms suggestive of a postoperative infection, such as swelling and local heat of the left knee, developed. Administration of an antibiotic brought the condition to a quiescent state. Six months after surgery, the swelling and local heat returned to the left knee; and this time the patient was subjected to arthroscopic synovectomy. Candida was isolated from the specimen obtained during the surgical procedure. Although he had been free of the symptoms since then, 4 years after surgery the arthritic symptoms recurred. Plain radiograms showed osteolytic lesions at the distal femur, medial side of the proximal tibia, and patella. The pain exacerbated.  

No comments:

Post a Comment