Autoradiography and histology in a case of idiopathic femoral head necrosis.
The necrotic femoral head in a patient with a transplanted kidney was examined autoradiographically (with fluorine--18 and Technitium--99 m--Polyphosphate) and histologically (i.e. with long interval Tetracycline labellings). A well circumscribed area of necrotic bone was demonstrated in the weight bearing part of the caput giving evidence of a solitary infarction. The demarcation zone showed revascularization, and appositional bone formation accounted for the increased density. Foci of necrotic bone were observed further away from the necrotic area indicating an originally more extensive vascular insufficiency. In the subchondral bone a fissure had arisen probably due to rarefaction of bone during the process of revascularization. It is suggested that the vascular insufficiency was a result of a reduced resistance of the bone tissue altered by steroid therapy.
D000328:Adult; D001345:Autoradiography; D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous