Avascular necrosis of the femoral head: MR imaging with radiological and histological correlation

To assess the value of MR in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head.

MR images in 34 consecutive patients (26 men and 8 women) with AVN (57 hips) were reviewed. All lesions were confirmed by radiographic, radionuclide, computed tomographic, and/or histologic examination. Eleven specimens were obtained after total replacement of the hip. Four hips underwent biopsy. All MR images were obtained using a 0.35 T superconductive imaging unit with SE sequence. Specimens were cut coronally into 5 mm thick section and radiographs were obtained.

There were four types of MR patterns of AVN. Type one appeared liner or patchy low signal area in the superoanterior portion of the femoral head. In type two, a band or ring of low signal intensity was found surrounding a central area of high signal intensity on T1WI and intermediate signal intensity on T2WI. The low signal band or ring consisted of thickened trabecular bone, mesenchymal and fibrous tissue, and amorphous acidophilic cellular debris. The central zones within the ring were composed of necrotic bone and marrow that had not been reached by the repair process. In type three, the focal subchondral region showed intermediate signal intensity on T1WI and high signal on T2WI surrounded by a low signal ring. The low signal ring consisted of thickened trabecular bone and little mesenchymal tissue. The central area was composed of mesenchymal tissue rich in capillaries and cystic necrotic zones. In type four, the signal intensity of femoral head was inhomogeneous on both T1WI and T2WI. There were low signal bands in the femoral neck surrounding the necrotic zone. Only limited areas of some lesions had signal intensity isointense with fat on T1WI and T2WI. The inhomogeneous area of low signal intensity consisted of a mixture of necrotic bone and marrow, amorphous cellular debris. The first type of MR pattern corresponded to the early stage of radiograph, and the third type of MR pattern to stage 5. The second and fourth type of MR patterns correlated less with the radiographic stage.

MR imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of AVN of femoral head especially in the early detection of AVN. The MR patterns of AVN is not correlated with radiographic stages exactly.