Cross-sectional imaging of the metal-on-metal hip prosthesis: The London ultrasound protocol

The method of ultrasound scanning presented in this paper used an optimized technique to examine the periprosthetic tissues of MOM hip arthroplasties. The method can be routinely applied within clinical practice. The method was developed to focus on the most common lesions seen with MOM hips, including metal particle disease and unexplained hip pain. However, the thorough ultrasound examination needed to screen for pseudotumours enables synchronous identification of a wide range of other soft-tissue hip disease entities. The method can also be easily applied to hips with other bearing materials (such as metal-on-polyethylene), and enables consensus reporting, which will aid communication between radiologists and between radiologists and surgeons. © 2012 The Royal College of Radiologists.