SPONTANEOUS NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL CONDYLUS - NOVEL FINDINGS IN T2-WEIGHTED SPIN-ECHO SEQUENCES AND GRADIENT ECHO STUDIES

The spontaneous necrosis of the femur condyles might cause diagnostic problems because clinical symptoms precede the radiologic changes on conventional x-ray. MRI offers an early detection of the necrosis of the femur condyle like bone necrosises of other localisation. Nine patients were examined by T1- and T2-weighted spin echo- and by T2*-weighted gradient echo sequences. All patients had reduced signal intensity in the subchondral bone marrow on T1-W SE sequences. In three patients new findings were observed on T2-W SE and gradient-echoes respectively. These findings allow better understanding in the underlying pathologic-anatomical changes.