Abstract
This study investigates the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in identifying avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head and in monitoring its therapy. The detection of AVN, particularly in its early stages, is imperative to give therapeutic intervention the best opportunity for successful management. The results of magnetic resonance imaging are compared with those of the standard diagnostic modalities in evaluation of patients with the lesion. Examinations were performed at 0.12 T with a repetition time (TR) of 143 ms and times to echo (TE's) of 10 or 20 ms. This study represents a retrospective review of 90 hips which were examined in 45 consecutive patients. Of these, 52 hips were biopsied as part of treatment. MR was shown to be sensitive in the detection of AVN. Comparison of MR with radionuclide imaging showed comparable sensitivity and specificity. MR was also noted to be sensitive in the detection of early AVN. Preliminary results suggest that MR can monitor treatment of the affected hip, and may even be able to predict patient response to therapy. Although further work is necessary to determine the role of MR in the evaluation of the patient presenting with hip pain, MR is a sensitive method in detecting AVN and in monitoring its course in patients suspected of having the disease.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Axel L, Thickman D, Kressel HY, Weingrad T, Steinberg M, Chen H, Edelstein W (1984) NMR imaging of avascular necrosis. Mag Res Med 1:93
Easton E, Auger J, Salmon R, Floyd M (1984) Superiority of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Soc Mag Res in Med Abstracts 201
Heller M, Moon KL, Helms CA, Schild H, Chafetz NI, Rodrigo J, Jergesen HE, Genant HK (1984) NMR imaging of femoral head necrosis. Mag Res Med 1:163
Kressel HY, Axel L, Thickman DL, Alavi A, Pollack H, Arger P, Edelstein W, Bottomley P, Redington R, Baum S (1983) NMR imaging of the abdoment at 0.12 T: initial clinical experience with a resistive magnet. AJR 141:1179
Moon KL Jr, Genant HK, Helms CA, Chafetz NI, Crooks LE, Kaufman L (1983) Musculoskeletal applications of nuclear magnetic resonance. Radiology 147:161
Nixon JE (1984) Early diagnosis and treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of bone. Br Med J 288:741
Steinberg ME, Hayken GD, Steinberg DR (1984) The “conservative” management of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In: Arlet J, Ficat RP, Hungerford DS (eds) Bone circulation. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, p 334
Totty WG, Murphy WA, Ganz WI, Kumar B, Daum WJ, Siegel BA (1984) Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal and ischemic femoral head. AJR 143:1273
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thickman, D., Axel, L., Kressel, H.Y. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Skeletal Radiol 15, 133–140 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350207
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350207