TRANSARTICULAR TUMOR INVASION VIA LIGAMENTUM TERES - A CLINICAL-PATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 12 PATIENTS

We studied 12 patients who were operated on for malignant tumors in an d around the hip joint. A correlative study, including preoperative st aging studies and anatomical-pathologic aspects of the hip joint, was performed. In 4 of the 12 patients, we found direct histologic evidenc e of tumor invasion from the head of the femur through the ligamentum teres to the acetabular fovea and vice versa. It seems that the ligame ntum teres is a potential route for transarticular spread of a tumor.