There are limitations to all techniques used to identify particulate polyethylene in histological specimens. The goal of our study was to determine if remnant metal elements used during the catalytic production of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, could be used as markers for particulate polyethylene detection in histological specimens. It was hypothesized that these catalyst elements could be detected in polyethylene using energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis. Six samples from five different companies were evaluated. These included virgin polymer powder, polyethylene bar stock, and artificial joint components.
Five specimens from each of the six samples were analyzed with energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis. After elemental analysis was completed, only 2 of 30 specimens were positive for the catalyst elements. In the remaining 28 specimens, catalyst elements were not detected. Our investigation demonstrates that energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis is not currently a feasible method of particulate polyethylene detection. Additional techniques will need to be developed to accurately identify particulate polyethylene in histological specimens.