title: Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the hip in neurosurgical patients: epidemiological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is perceived to be a rare complication of short-term steroid therapy for neurosurgical conditions but its precise risk is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of hospital records between 1994 and 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of developing AVN of the femoral head is 0.3% with an incidence of one per one thousand patients per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It would be advisable to minimize both the dosage and the duration of steroid treatment where possible.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: George Kwok Chu
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Wai Sang
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Kwok Hing
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D003907:Dexamethasone