Abstract

Retrograde cement extrusion into the nutrient vessels of the femur is a rare phenomenon in uncomplicated cemented hemiarthroplasty of the hip ; this is a report on three cases. Routine postoperative radiographs showed a continuous dense linear opacity arising from the posterior medial region of the femur. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed no evidence of a cortical break in the femur and confirmed our suspicion of retrograde cement extrusion into the nutrient vessels of the femur. Post-operative recovery was uneventful with no complications of cement thromboembolism. Our findings in three cases suggest that cement retrograde extrusion into nutrient vessels following hemiarthroplasty is a benign complication of modern cementing techniques involving pressurisation. The site of cement extrusion into the nutrient foramina displays a constant topography. We recommend that a CT scan of the femur be done on detection of a radio-opaque density on post-operative radiographs to differentiate an extra-osseous breach from an intra-vascular extrusion of cement. The theoretical complications of cement embolism and thrombosis should be kept in mind and looked for clinically.