The Usefulness of Three-dimensional Computed Tomography as an Assessment of Periacetabular Osteolysis in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) in measuring periacetabular osteolysis by comparing the real volume of osteolysis in revision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twnety-three patients who had undergone revision surgery due to periacetabular osteolysis but not included septic osteolysis and implant loosening. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 55.2 years. And the mean time interval between the primary total hip arthroplasty and revision surgery was 13.3 years. We measured the polyethylene wear in plain radiographs using computer assisted vector wear analysis program, the volume of acetabular osteolytic lesions in high-resolution spiral CT scans using Rapidia 3D software version 2.8 algorithms before the revision surgery were performed. Intraoperative real osteolytic volume was calculated as the sum of the volumetric increments of the acetabular cup and impacted allo-cancellous bone volume. RESULTS: Strong correlation was found between the volume of acetabular osteolytic lesions measured on 3D-CT and intraoperative real osteolytic volume which was calculated as the sum of the volumetric increments of the acetabular cup and impacted allo-cancellous bone volume. CONCLUSION: 3D-CT is considered a useful method for assessing and measuring the volume of periacetabular osteolysis before revision surgery.