[Rapidly destructive hip disease with resultant iliopectineal bursitis].

A man aged 72 years developed complete destruction of his right hip joint within 12 weeks: 'rapidly destructive hip disease' (RDHD). Analysis of weight loss also revealed iliopectineal bursitis. Nine months after total hip arthroplasty, the patient was free of complaints and the bursitis had disappeared. The cause of RDHD is unclear. Associations have been made with osteonecrosis, chondrocalcinosis and arthropathies of other joints. The destruction of the acetabulum and the femoral head can lead to hydrops in the hip joint and, via a communication between the joint and the iliopectineal bursa, to inflammation of the bursa. This combination of diagnoses has not been described before.