Bone death from loss of blood supply
Expansion
Avascular Necrosis
Purpose
Common at femoral head, talus, scaphoid; risk factors include trauma, corticosteroids, alcohol, sickle cell
Clinical Context
Avascular necrosis: femoral head most common. Magnetic resonance imaging sensitive early (bone marrow oedema). Double line sign on magnetic resonance imaging pathognomonic. Progression to collapse common without core decompression.
Related Terms
- Osteonecrosis
- Femoral head fracture
Key Points
- Avascular necrosis Ficat stages show 1 equals normal X-ray or abnormal magnetic resonance imaging, 2 equals sclerosis or crescent sign, 3 equals collapse, 4 equals osteoarthritis