Osteonecrosis as a complication of steroid dependent asthma: a case report and review

Corticosteroid associated osteonecrosis is a complex disease requiring high physician suspicion to make an early diagnosis. Although the exact cause is not completely known, it appears that systemic illness, anatomic location and elevated interosseous pressures interact to produce this lesion. Plain film and technetium bone scan are most commonly used for diagnosis, but occasionally, invasive procedures are required. Surgical treatment, ranging from decompression to total hip replacement, is most commonly, but not always recommended.