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Crescent Sign
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Added by Christian Veillette , last edited by Christian Veillette on Sep 06, 2008  (view change)
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Location Hip
Diagnosis Avascular Necrosis
Discussion A radiograph of a left hip joint, which reveal a thin, curvilinear lucent line parallel to the cortical margin of the femoral head. Interruption of the blood supply to the femoral head leads to ischemic necrosis of the marrow and bone that it supplies. Eventually, the bone infarcts and insufficiency fractures may ensue. Fractures that occur in the subchondral bone may be recognized by a crescentic lucent zone that separates the fragment from the remainder of the femur.
Reference Norman A, Bullough P: The radiolucent crescent line: An early diagnostic sign of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Bull Hosp Joint Dis 1963, 24:99-104.
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