Avascular Necrosis Associated with Nailing of Femoral Neck Fracture: Two Cases Examined Pre- and Postoperatively by Tetracycline and Radionuclide Tracer Techniques

Abstract

Two patients with femoral neck fractures, one displaced and one undisplaced, are presented. Preoperative intravital staining with tetracycline and Tc-MDP scin-timetry both showed intact femoral head circulation while Tc-MDP-scintimetry 1 week after operation showed pronounced circulatory deficiency. Sr85−scintimetry performed at the same time was inconclusive. Segmental collapse was observed radiographically, 8 and 12 months postoperatively. the major vascular injury resulting in avascularity most probably occurred during the procedure of osteosynthesis, and Tc-MDP-scintimetry was found suitable for early postoperative recognition of avascular necrosis in both fractures.