Measurement of Concentrations of Metal Ions in Pseudotumours Close to Metal-On-Metal Hips

Jessica Winfield¹, Donald McRobbie¹

We present a method to use MRI to measure concentrations of metal ions in fluid-filled pseudotumours near metal-on-metal (MoM) hips. The method uses 3D gradient echo sequences which exhibit only moderate metal artefacts when a high receive bandwidth is employed. Measurements of T1 relaxation times can be used to place upper limits on concentrations of metal ions in fluid-filled lesions. The study forms part of the long-term follow-up of patients with painful and well-functioning MoM hips in order to investigate the clinical significance of pseudotumours and elevated levels of metal ions.