Steroid Induced Bilateral Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis in a Patient of Minimal Change Glomerulonephritis: Detection by Radionuclide Bone Scan

Abstract

One of the commonest causes of avascular necrosis of bones in patients with renal transplants are glucocorticoids. Early detection and management of this complication is crucial to the progression and prevention of collapse of femoral heads. In the early diagnosis of avascular necrosis radionuclide bone scintigraphy provides an useful information on the aetiology of the painful hip before changes appear on X ray examination. We present a case of proved glomerulonephritis taking glucocorticoids with difficulty in walking and pain around hip joints. A planar whole body and a SPECT Technetium 99-m (Tc99-m) bone scans were done which revealed avascular necrosis of both femoral heads. JMS 2012;15(1):61-64.