Recurrent Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease revisited: fake or reality?
The objective of this study was to assess the course, the epidemiologic features and the prognosis of recurrent Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. We reviewed seven reported cases and one personal case of recurrent Perthes' disease. In all cases, complete recovery from the previous episode was documented, and a thorough diagnostic work-up to rule out other diseases was undertaken. There were five boys. Age at onset ranged from 2 to 6 years. Five patients had bilateral involvement. Recurrence took place 1-5 years after complete healing of the initial one. Clinical and radiological pictures were similar to those found in primary Perthes' disease of the adolescent and consisted in a greater epiphyseal involvement. Recurrent Perthes' disease is very rare. We did not identify any risk factors for recurrence. A worse outcome is more closely related to an older age of the patient at recurrence than to recurrence itself.
Ghanem
Ismat
I
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon. ghanem.i@dm.net.lb
Khalife
Rami
R
Haddad
Fadi
F
Kharrat
Khalil
K
Dagher
Fernand
F
D002675:Child, Preschool; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007873:Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence