Clostridium difficile Infection of a Total Hip Arthroplasty: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Issue 1 (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loloi, Justin; Mrowczynski, Oliver; Claxton, Benjamin; Abdulbasit, Muhammad; Schade, Meredith
• Is Part Of: JBJS case connector. Volume 10:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Orthopedic surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic Procedures; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.19.00226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-3251

Abstract

Abstract : Case: We describe the case of an 85-year-old woman who presented with worsening right hip pain after a conversion hip replacement. Subsequent imaging demonstrated a gas-containing collection in the lateral thigh. She was taken to the operating room for irrigation and debridement, where intraoperative cultures returned positive for Clostridium difficile. Surgical management was followed by a prolonged course of antibiotics. Conclusions: Clostridium difficile as the etiology of infection in a conversion arthroplasty is exceedingly rare. Orthopaedic surgeons and infectious disease specialists should consider C. diff as a potential cause of infection in conversion hip arthroplasty because management options will need to be tailored.