Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Oct 20, 2023
  • Author: John D Kelly, IV, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

AVN of the hip has characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiographic findings that help differentiate AVN from the conditions listed below. On MRI scans and radiographs, AVN chiefly has anterosuperior femoral head involvement with a characteristic collapse.

Acetabular labrum tear

Osteoarthritis (See also the Medscape Reference articles Osteoarthritis [in the Orthopedic Surgery section] and Osteoarthritis, Primary [in the Radiology section ].)

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (bone marrow edema syndrome) (See also the Medscape Reference article Osteoporosis [in the Rheumatology section].)

Differential Diagnoses