무증상대퇴골두무혈성괴사의운명

Abstract

This retrospective study was performed to determine the rate of collapse in asymptomatic hips in patients with non-traumatic osteonecrosis. 32 hips in 32 patients with asymptomatic osteonecrosis were followed up for at least five years. The necrotic lesions of all hips were confirmed by MR imaging. The evaluation was made primarily based on radiographic features and MR findings according to the location and size of the necrotic lesion. Twelve(37.5%) of the femoral heads had collapsed in the average of fifty-two months. Gender, age, initial radiographic staging, and etiology did not affect the collapse. The collapse took place predominantly in cases involving at least one-third of the diameter of the head and the major weight bearing areas. These results indicate that asymptomatic osteonecrosis is at signification risk of collapse, especially when the necrotic lesion is extensive and involves a weight bearing area.