Bilateral avascular necrosis of the humeral trochleae after chemotherapy.
We describe a patient who developed avascular necrosis of both humeral trochleae after combination chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This presented as progressive stiffness of both elbows with little pain. Radiography and MRI confirmed the presence of avascular necrosis at both sites. This region corresponds to a watershed between the medial and lateral vascular arcades which supply the distal humerus and may explain the susceptibility of this bony region to avascular necrosis. Treatment involved capsulectomy of the elbow and removal of osteophytes giving a good functional outcome on both sides.
Chan
B K
BK
Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia.
Bell
S N
SN
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004550:Elbow; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging