The incidence and clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of osteonecrosis of the hip were evaluated in patients with aplastic anemia. Two hundred and forty-one patients with aplastic anemia were examined using MR imaging of bone marrow during the five years from 1994 to 1998. Osteonecrosis of the hip was observed on MR imaging in nineteen (15 males and 4 females, mean age 35 yr) of the 241 patients. It was present in both hips in 14 patients, and there were five cases with unilateral occurrence, with a total of 33 involved hips. All except for five hips with associated bone marrow edema revealed increased fatty marrow conversion in the proximal femoral metaphysis. In nine patients, osteonecrosis was detected without any pain. Five patients already had osteonecrosis before any medication was administered. Twelve patients received antilymphocyte globulin, and seven patients received a low dose of steroids before the MR diagnosis of osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis of the hip frequently develops in patients with aplastic anemia (7.9%), associated with fatty marrow conversion of the proximal femoral metaphysis.
Adipose Tissue/pathology ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic/*complications/radiography ; Bone Marrow/pathology ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis/*complications/radiography ; Hip/*pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteonecrosis/*complications/radiography ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of the modified lateral pillar classification as a prognostic factor in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD). METHODS: Thirty nine patients diagnosed with lateral pillar C in LCPD from May, 1977, to October, 2001 were reviewed, and their skeletal maturity was followed. The mean follow up duration was 12 years and 7 months (4 years, 6 months to 24 years, 9 months). Lateral pillar C classification was divided into C1 (50-75% collapse of the lateral pillar) and C2 (> 75%). All radiological and clinical prognostic factors were evaluated. The final results were evaluated according to the Stulberg classification. RESULTS: Twenty one and 18 of the affected hips were in groups C1 and C2, respectively. According to the Stulberg classification, the final results of group C1 were better than those of C2 (p = 0.002). Patients with more head-at-risk signs had significantly poorer outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The modified lateral pillar classification has significant value for predicting the prognosis of LCPD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Femur Head/*pathology/radiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Joint/*pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Legg-Perthes Disease/*classification/*pathology/radiography/therapy ; Male ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of impacted femoral neck fractures treated with multiple pinning and determined the influence of the progression of impaction at the fracture site on clinical outcome. METHODS: There were 34 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 years. Progression of fracture site impaction was measured using an articulo-trochanteric distance index and the percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between follow-up intervals. The failure of treatment was clarified as non-union and avascular necrosis. Other characteristics of the patients, including mean waiting time for surgery, preoperative Singh index score, and body mass index, were also measured to evaluate the influence on the clinical outcome of surgery. RESULTS: There were 6 fractures which were not treated successfully (3 non-union, 8.8% and 3 avascular necrosis, 8.8%). The mean percentage decrease of the articulo-trochanteric distance index within the first 6 weeks after surgery was 4.5% in the successful group and 25.1% in the failure group (p < 0.001). There was also a significant mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between 6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary stabilization with Knowles pins for impacted femoral neck fractures had a reasonable clinical outcome with low morbidity. Despite a significant difference of a mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between the successful group and the failure group, we could not verify it as a risk factor for failure of treatment because the odds ratio was not statistically significant.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures/complications/radiography/*surgery ; Femur Head Necrosis/etiology/radiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Ununited/radiography ; Hip Joint/*pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of impacted femoral neck fractures treated with multiple pinning and determined the influence of the progression of impaction at the fracture site on clinical outcome. METHODS: There were 34 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 years. Progression of fracture site impaction was measured using an articulo-trochanteric distance index and the percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between follow-up intervals. The failure of treatment was clarified as non-union and avascular necrosis. Other characteristics of the patients, including mean waiting time for surgery, preoperative Singh index score, and body mass index, were also measured to evaluate the influence on the clinical outcome of surgery. RESULTS: There were 6 fractures which were not treated successfully (3 non-union, 8.8% and 3 avascular necrosis, 8.8%). The mean percentage decrease of the articulo-trochanteric distance index within the first 6 weeks after surgery was 4.5% in the successful group and 25.1% in the failure group (p < 0.001). There was also a significant mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between 6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary stabilization with Knowles pins for impacted femoral neck fractures had a reasonable clinical outcome with low morbidity. Despite a significant difference of a mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between the successful group and the failure group, we could not verify it as a risk factor for failure of treatment because the odds ratio was not statistically significant.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures/complications/radiography/*surgery ; Femur Head Necrosis/etiology/radiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Ununited/radiography ; Hip Joint/*pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Treatment Outcome

Silicosis had been considered for decades as an illness with manifestations of lung fibrosis due to inhalation of overconcentrated SiO2 dust. To the best of our knowledge, studies have yet to report SiO2 deposits in any other tissues and organs. In the present case, while performing bilateral artificial total hip arthroplasty for one patient, we found that the articular cartilage of the bilateral femoral head was black. Therefore, specimens thereof were sent for pathological examination. Pathological examination (immunohistochemistry) and polarized light microscopy revealed the presence of considerable brown, acicular, rhombic, and crumb-like crystals. The crystals were mainly composed of SiO2. SiO2 could deposit in vessels and femoral head cartilage via blood circulation.
Blood Vessels/*chemistry ; Cartilage/*chemistry ; Femur Head/*pathology ; Humans ; Lung/*radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Silicon Dioxide/*analysis ; Silicosis/*diagnosis ; Synovitis/*pathology

We evaluated the clinical course of subchondral insufficiency fracture of the femoral head (SIFFH) and its characteristic findings with special regard to joint space narrowing (JSN). Thirty-one cases of SIFFH of mean age 68.9 yr initially underwent limited weight-bearing conservative treatment. During the follow-up period, the patients with intractable pain underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). For radiographic evaluation, lateral center-edge angle, JSN and femoral head collapse (FHC) were documented, and the extent of FHC was classified as mild (<2 mm), moderate (2-4 mm), and severe (>4 mm). The progression or new development of FHC more than 2 mm was evaluated on sequential plain radiographs. The relationship between radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes were evaluated. THAs were performed in 15 cases (48.4%). There was no significant correlation between clinical outcomes and the extent of initial FHC. However, a significantly larger proportion of patients that underwent THA showed JSN and FHC progression compared to the symptom improvement group. The risk factor significantly associated with failed conservative treatment was JSN (P=0.038; OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 1.15-122.26). Clinical results of conservative treatment for SIFFH in elderly patients are relatively poor. The patients with JSN are at higher risk of failed conservative treatment.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Body Mass Index ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Femur Head/pathology/*radiography ; Hip Fractures/pathology/*radiography ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo determine whether bone density is related to osteoarthritis and to compare osteoarthritis with osteoporotic fracture of the femoral neck.

METHODSAll 165 femoral heads removed at joint replacement surgery were divided into 4 groups according to radiographic features of hip (osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, cysts and femoral head deformity). The individual femoral head was divided into 5 zones histologically. Sections were studied histomorphologically, and quantitation was performed using the computer-assisted system to determine the bone density of the femoral head.

RESULTSThe values of bone density in weight-bearing, super lateral non weight-bearing (SL) and inferior medial non weight-bearing (IM) areas after femoral neck fracture in patients with osteoarthritis were lower than normal. The values of bone density in weight bearing area were increased in patients with osteoarthritis in all four groups but lower than normal in one group (I), and higher than normal in other 2 groups (III, IV). The values of bone density in SL and IM areas except IM area in group IV were lower than normal (P > 0.05). The values of bone density in the central area in the 4 groups were relatively consistent and normal. The density of Haversian canals was increased in the 4 groups indicating osteoporosis of the femoral head. The average age of patients with femoral neck fracture associated with OA (group I) was significantly higher than that of group II, III, IV (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBone density is different in the femoral head and neck. Dividing the weight bearing joint into distinct zones is a method for laboratory and clinical study. Femoral neck fracture associated with OA was caused by osteoporosis which is related to the age of the patient. The data of this study can be regarded as a potential indicator of implant/host bone relations with morphological, morphometric implications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; etiology ; Femur Head ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Radiography

BACKGROUNDTreating developmental dysplasia of the hip is often challenging. The difficulties include not only the hip surgery itself but also the treatment of the associated lower-limb valgus deformity. However, there have been very few studies on such deformity in patients with developmental hip dysplasia. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and severity of lower-limb valgus deformity, along with the relationship between the severity of valgus deformity and mechanical alterations of the hip or the ipsilateral knee.

METHODSTwo hundred and six affected lower limbs of 116 adult patients with untreated developmental dysplasia of the hip were included in the study, grouped according to the severity of hip dysplasia. Each study participant's radiographs were measured to quantitatively evaluate the mechanical axis deviation of the lower limb, and further to evaluate the prevalence and severity of the lower-limb valgus deformity. Some mechanical alterations of the hip and the ipsilateral knee were also measured on the radiographs.

RESULTSOf the affected lower limbs, 14.1% had valgus deformities. Study participants with Crowe type III hip dysplasia had the most severe deformity and the highest prevalence of deformity. Severity of valgus deformity had a strong positive correlation with the lateral migration of the femoral head but not with the superior migration. A decreased lateral distal femoral angle contributed to the lower-limb valgus deformity, and the lateral distal femoral angle had a strong negative correlation with the severity of valgus deformity.

CONCLUSIONSHip dysplasia is commonly associated with lower-limb valgus deformity, and the severity of the lower-limb valgus deformity is mostly affected by lateral migration but not superior migration of the femoral head. The valgus deformity may originate mainly in the distal femur, in addition to the hip joint itself. These findings can be taken into account when planning to treat the patients with hip dysplasia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Femur Head ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Hallux Valgus ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Hip Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Joint Deformities, Acquired ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Young Adult