What the study found
The study reports the first documented case of a hip periprosthetic joint infection, an infection around an artificial joint, presenting as a giant multilocular pseudotumor in a 68-year-old woman. The infection was caused by Granulicatella adiacens, a rare organism.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the case highlights the need for greater awareness of atypical pathogens and the value of advanced diagnostics and interdisciplinary management. The study also suggests that pseudotumor environments may facilitate infection.
What the researchers tested
This was a case report of a woman 14 years after total hip arthroplasty, a surgical replacement of the hip joint. The team assessed aspiration and intraoperative samples, used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight for identification, and treated the case with pseudotumor resection, neurolysis, staged component exchange, and targeted antibiotics.
What worked and what didn't
Despite normal inflammatory markers, the aspiration and intraoperative samples identified G. adiacens. Multimodal surgical treatment with targeted antibiotics led to full recovery and infection-free follow-up.
What to keep in mind
This summary describes a single case, so it does not establish how often this presentation occurs. The abstract does not describe other limitations beyond the fact that the authors call it the first documented case.
Key points
- A hip periprosthetic joint infection presented as a giant multilocular pseudotumor.
- The causative organism was identified as Granulicatella adiacens.
- Inflammatory markers were normal in this case.
- Aspiration and intraoperative samples were used for diagnosis.
- Surgical treatment plus targeted antibiotics led to recovery and infection-free follow-up.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Granulicatella adiacens caused a hip periprosthetic joint infection with pseudotumor
- Authors:
- Julie Boever, Boris Michael Holzapfel, Wolfgang Böcker, Veronika Kanitz, Maximilian Lerchenberger, Jan Wulf
- Institutions:
- LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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