Osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Etiology, imaging and treatment

• Published in: European journal of radiology 2007-07, Vol.63 (1), p.16-28
• Main Authors: Malizos, Konstantinos N, Karantanas, Apostolos H, Varitimidis, Sokratis E, Dailiana, Zoe H, Bargiotas, Konstantinos, Maris, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Avascular necrosis; Disease Progression; Female; Femoral head; Femur Head - diagnostic imaging; Femur Head - pathology; Femur Head Necrosis - diagnosis; Femur Head Necrosis - etiology; Femur Head Necrosis - therapy; Hip; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; MR imaging/diagnosis; Osteonecrosis; Prognosis; Radiography; Radiology; Radionuclide Imaging; Risk Factors; Surgery; X-ray/diagnosis
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2007.03.019

Abstract Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disabling clinical entity affecting young adults that usually leads to destruction of the hip joint. A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis due to the insidious onset of the bone infarcts and the lack of specific clinical signs at the early stages. Many etiology-associated factors have been identified reducing thus the number of idiopathic cases. A number of joint salvaging treatment options are available if early diagnosis can be achieved. MR imaging has been proved to be a highly accurate method both for early diagnosis and for staging of the disease. Replacement of the hip joint is the last resort for pain relief and function, although non-desirable because of the young age of the affected population.