Inguinal mass as a late complication of hip arthroplasty - Differential diagnosis and treatment from a vascular surgical perspective

We report on three patients with a symtomatic inguinal mass as a late compl ication of repetitive arthroplastic hip surgery. In one case, there Mins a false aneurysm and in two cases a so-called "synovial cyst". A synovial cys t is usually an enlarged iliopsoas bursa in communication with the capsule of the hip joint. Hypersecretion in arthritic joints may cause expansion of this bursa. Compression of the common femoral and external iliac veins may lead to outflow obstruction and leg swelling. The most important diagnosti c tools are plain films of the hip joint and ultrasound of the groin includ ing colour-coded assessment of the femoral vessels. Symptomatic cysts usual ly, need removing by an anterior approach. Loose arthroplastic components c an be causative and should be replaced.