[Necrosis of the carpal scaphoid after chemotherapy. Case report]

Preiser's disease--first described by Preiser in 1910--presents the rare avascular necrosis of the carpal scaphoid. There is no consensus with regard to cause and therapeutic procedure to this day. The initially postulated idiopathic origin of the disease is controversial and rare. It is mainly caused by trauma or repetitive microtrauma, but can also occur as a complication of drug therapy. The rare occurrence of necrosis of the carpal scaphoid following chemotherapy is presented. The treatment was resection of the scaphoid and mediocarpal arthrodesis. Clinical appearance, diagnostic work-up, and therapy of the disease are discussed.