Observations placeholder
Cobalt poisoning and hip replacement
Identifier
006878
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Orthopade. 2006 Aug;35(8):860-4. [Chronic cobalt poisoning in endoprosthetic replacement]. [Article in German] Steens W, Loehr JF, von Foerster G, Katzer A.
This article outlines symptoms and therapeutic options in chronic cobalt poisoning including a case report in which metallosis caused by a ceramic-metal articular pairing led to almost complete loss of sight and hearing after revision of a total hip prosthesis.
At primary revision the firmly incorporated stem was left in place. For a better offset only the head was exchanged from a ceramic to a metal model which articulated with a socket containing a ceramic inlay. Postoperatively, movement of the hip joint became increasingly uncomfortable and painful.
After 2 years, the patient started complaining about increasing impairment of his eyesight followed by a gradual loss of hearing. In a second revision, examination of the explanted material showed almost complete deterioration of the metal femoral head and a partially fractured ceramic inlay with extensive contamination of the bone and surrounding soft tissue by metal debris.
At the time of revision increasing concentrations of the alloy elements cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum were measured in the serum and liquor. The concentration of cobalt, in particular, was remarkably high. Treatment options in cases with chronic cobalt poisoning include chelation therapy with EDTA or BAL/DMPS.
PMID:16767456
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Chromium imbalanceCobalt imbalance
Heavy metal poisoning
Molybdenum imbalance
Surgery
Suppressions
Blindness, macular degeneration and other sight impairmentChelation agents
Deafness and tinnitus