[Algodystrophy of the femoral head. Contribution of new imaging methods]

Results are reported of the use of new imaging methods, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, in 12 patients with algodystrophy of femoral head. During the early stages a CT scan can detect partial demineralizations, observed on MR images in sagittal sections. When the disease is installed the CT scan images show global demineralization, but the MR images with coupled T1-T2 study appear to be more pathognomonic (hyposignal extended in T1 with hypersignal in T2, associated with a more marked subchondral hyposignal in T1 as in T2) particularly in relation to the osteonecrosis of femoral head.