Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue,
with ocular, skeletal, and cardiovascular manifestations.
Protrusio acetabuli is a criterion for the diagnosis of Marfan
syndrome.
Prolonged protrusio acetabuli may result in secondary osteoarthritic
changes in the hip joint.
Radiographic criteria for protrusio acetabuli include an abnormally
positioned acetabular line, a center-edge angle of Wiberg of >40°, and
crossing of the teardrop by the ilioischial line.
In a skeletally immature patient with Marfan syndrome in whom the
triradiate physis of the acetabulum is still open, closure of the triradiate
physis can interrupt and decrease the progression of the deformity. In older
patients, valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy and eventually total hip
arthroplasty are the only methods available for correction of the protrusio
acetabuli.