[Spinal osteonecrosis in adults. Apropos of 4 cases]

The authors report on 4 cases of aseptic osteonecrosis of the vertebral matter in adult. The relatively rare localisation is the lot of elderly patients. It may follow cobalt therapy or corticotherapy and seems to be brought about by osteoporosis, hypertriglyceridemia and, perhaps, malignant lymphoidal proliferation. Histological confirmation of osteonecrosis was available in one case. The radiological aspect is characterised by settling, with heterogenic osteo-condensation and gaseous dissection of the vertebral matter. A double vertebral localisation is possible, and scintigraphical hyperfixation is common. The course is slowly favourable, with a symptomatic treatment.