SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION IN TOTAL KNEE FAILURE SECONDARY TO SEVERE METALLOSIS

The scintigraphic findings are described for a patient with severe met allosis in a failed noninfected total knee arthroplasty secondary to m etal-metal friction between the femoral and tibial components as a res ult of polyethylene wear. Technetium-99m phosphate and gallium-67 citr ate scans were positive in incongruent uptake areas. This uptake is cl assically associated with septic loosening. The recommendation is made that metallosis be suspected before surgery as a possible cause of a false positive scan where sequential technetium-gallium scans are empl oyed.