title: Efficiency of iloprost treatment for chemotherapy-associated osteonecrosis after childhood cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk of developing avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) after chemotherapy is age related and, at up to 17% of all treated patients, relatively high.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 8 patients (4 male, 4 female, 14.3+/-4.9 years old) were treated for symptomatic chemotherapy-associated AVN with intravenous infusion of iloprost. Association Research Circulation Osseus (ARCO) stages I-IV in 37 bones (25 joints) were treated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up was 20.8+/-17 months (range: 6-53 months). No serious adverse reactions due to the infusion with iloprost were recorded. Pain levels were lower and functional outcome measured as Harris Hip and Knee Society Scores improved by the latest follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our current data confirm the findings of other investigators that healing of advanced stages of AVN is not possible, but that in early stages of AVN, pain relief and an improvement of joint function can be achieved by iloprost.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Heinrich-Heine University Medical School, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. Jaeger@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Jäger
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Zilkens
authors: Bettina
authors: B
authors: Westhoff
authors: Eva Maria
authors: EM
authors: Jelinek
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Kozina
authors: Rüdiger
authors: R
authors: Krauspe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016285:Iloprost / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016285:Iloprost