title: MRI of osteonecrosis.
abstract: Osteonecrosis is a relatively common condition, which may be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of clinical situations. It may involve the subarticular region of a joint, when it is commonly referred to as ischaemic necrosis, or the metaphyseal regions of long bones, when it is referred to as bone infarction. In both situations, early lesions may be radiographically occult. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very sensitive in identifying and characterizing osteonecrosis. This review illustrates the varied MRI features of osteonecrosis that enable a confident diagnosis to be made. Complications and differential diagnosis are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saifuddin
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging