Cut-off values with highest sensitivity and specificity for the synovial fluid white cell and differential count will facilitate the accurate diagnosis of infection in total knee (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR). All patients undergoing revision TKR or THR for suspected prosthetic joint infection between 2009 and 2011 at two hospitals were identified. A total of 75 patients were included with a mean age of 70.3 years (38 to 89). Synovial fluid was aspirated pre-operatively and peri-prosthetic tissue samples were taken intra-operatively for histological and microbiological examination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots were constructed for white cell and differential counts in aspirated fluid. The optimal cut-off for TKR and THR was 1590 white cells/µl and 65% neutrophilia. The white cell count cut-off value identified for THR was notably lower than previously quoted in the literature. A cut-off value for white cell count in synovial aspirate in suspected prosthetic joint infection of between 1100 and 1700 white cells/µl is likely to be applicable to both THR and TKR.
Despite these results representing our learning curve for the procedure, we found TRLOP to be an effective treatment for IPVs. The closure rates described are comparable with the published clinical series data for subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery.
Septic arthritis is an uncommon condition with an incidence of 2–3/100,000. It is clinically notable, however, as it is a rapidly destructive joint disease with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Polyarticular septic arthritis has an estimated incidence of 15% of all cases of infectious arthritis.We report a case of polyarticular septic arthritis with involvement of bilateral shoulders and wrist to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment as well as the high mortality rates associated with this condition. Bilateral septic shoulder arthritis poses a challenge to treat, and its significance should not be underestimated as even with early surgical intervention and aggressive antibiotic and fluid resuscitation death is a sad but perhaps not uncommon outcome. It is therefore imperative that the diagnosis of polyarticular septic arthritis is kept prominent in the physician’s mind when confronted with a patient with symptomatic polyarthralgia.
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