BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is perceived to be a rare complication of short-term steroid therapy for neurosurgical conditions but its precise risk is unknown. METHODS: Retrospective review of hospital records between 1994 and 2001. RESULTS: The risk of developing AVN of the femoral head is 0.3% with an incidence of one per one thousand patients per year. CONCLUSIONS: It would be advisable to minimize both the dosage and the duration of steroid treatment where possible.
BACKGROUND:Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is perceived to be a rare complication of short-term steroid therapy for neurosurgical conditions but its precise risk is unknown. METHODS: Retrospective review of hospital records between 1994 and 2001. RESULTS: The risk of developing AVN of the femoral head is 0.3% with an incidence of one per one thousand patients per year. CONCLUSIONS: It would be advisable to minimize both the dosage and the duration of steroid treatment where possible.
Authors: Christian Powell; Christopher Chang; Stanley M Naguwa; Gurtej Cheema; M Eric Gershwin Journal: Autoimmun Rev Date: 2010-07-09 Impact factor: 9.754