Avascular nontraumatic necrosis of the scaphoid. Preiser's disease?

Twenty-two cases of nontraumatic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid are reported. In ten cases a metabolic cause could be revealed; for the other 12 cases no etiology could be established. Twelve were treated with a proximal row carpectomy, ten had a very satisfactory result, one was not satisfied and had to be converted into a wrist arthrodesis and one is in doubt.