Rapid chondrolysis after an intra-articular leak of bone cement in treatment of a benign acetabular subchondral cyst: an unusual complication of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement

Percutaneous injection of methylmethacrylate is now increasingly employed to treat bone lesions, both malignant and benign. However, the risks of this procedure are still to be fully established. In this report, we describe a case of rapid chondrolysis appearing after the intra-articular leakage of cement during injection of an acetabular subchondral cyst, resulting in hip replacement. Although the mechanism of such chondrolysis is unknown, this event suggests a chondrolytic effect of the acrylic cement. Thus, it is essential to systematically search for the presence of an intra-articular passage before injecting bone cement into a peri-articular cyst. This unusual complication highlights the need for rigorous evaluation of the benefits and risks of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement in the treatment of benign lesions, especially close to an articulation.