Incidental findings on CT scans for robot‐assisted total joint arthroplasty

Abstract

Introduction This study documented the incidence of incidental findings from preoperative computerized‐tomography (CT) scans obtained for robotic‐arm‐assisted total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and its effect on patient management. Methods A retrospective review was conducted for patients who underwent robotic‐arm assisted primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from 2016 to 2020. All patients obtained preoperative CT scans which were formally read by fellowship‐trained musculoskeletal radiologists. CT's were flagged with incidental findings and those requiring physician follow‐up were identified as significant. Results A total of 1519 patients (mean age, 66 years ±9; 849 females) were evaluated. Seventy‐three (4.81%) patients had incidental CT scan findings, and 25 (1.65%) patients had significant incidental findings. Four patients required additional imaging and two patients required intervention. Conclusion This study found a 4.81% incidence of incidental findings from preoperative CT scans for robotic‐arm‐assisted THA and TKA. Of these findings, less than 2% required physician follow‐up and less than 1% required intervention. With the increasing popularity of robotic‐arm assisted total joint arthroplasty, it is important to consider the necessity of detection and management of associated incidental findings from preoperative CT scans.