Abstract
A prospective study was made to establish the early diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hips for which early avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) was suspected. In 7 joints of 5 patients, for whom findings of the MRI were positive, a core decompression was carried out and the biopsy specimens were examined histologically.
Preoperative MRI showed low signal ranges in all 7 joints. The histological findings revealed bone necrotic change as stated by Ficat (1980), showing a good correlation between the findings of MRI and histology.
Postoperative clinical results were found as “excellent” and “good” in 100% in Stage 0 (1/1), 75% in Stage I (3/4) and 50% in Stage II (1/2). In radiographs, ceased of lesion were conbirmed in 100% in Stage 0 (1/1), 100% in Stage I (4/4) and 50% in Stage II (1/2), and there was no case which development collapse.
It is concluded that MRI is highly sensitive and core decompression is useful procedure in stage of early ANFH.
