An MRI Classification of Lesions Around Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

Introduction Metal Artefact Reduction Sequence (MARS) MRI is being increasingly used to detect soft tissue inflammatory reactions surrounding metal-on-metal hip replacements. The UK MHRA safety alert announced in April 2010 recommended cross-sectional imaging such as MRI for all patients with painful MOM hips. The terms used to describe the findings include bursae, cystic lesions and solid masses. A recently used term, pseudotumour, incorporates all of these lesions. We aimed to correlate the pattern of abnormalities on MRI with clinical symptoms. Method Following our experience with over 160 MARS MRI scans of patients with MOM hips we recognized patterns of lesions according to their: wall thickness, T1/T2 signal, shape, and location. We categorised the 79 lesions from 159 MARS MRI scans of into our novel classification scheme of 1, 2a, 2b and 3. There were two groups of patients: well functioning and painful. Results We found a surprisingly high prevalence of lesions on MRI scan in the well functioning group (11 out 23, 48%) when compared to the painful group (79 out of 137, 57%). However, there were a significantly greater number of grade 1 lesions in the well functioning group. We suggest that these are post-surgical changes and should not be confused with pathological, tissue destroying lesions. Discussion This is the largest ever study of patients with MARS MRI scans of MOM hips. It is the first to use a classification system and the first to compare well functioning with painful hips. We are now able to provide radiologists and surgeons with clinical interpretation of a lesion on MRI scan. Our classification system will provide useful information on both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Longitudinal follow up of these patients will provide the final validation.