Pathogenesis of Metaphyseal Radiolucent Changes Following Ischemic Necrosis of the Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Immature Pigs

The present study supports the clinical observation that the presence of diffuse metaphyseal radiolucent changes may be associated with substantial growth disturbance of the proximal part of the femur in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. The study provides a histopathological basis for proximal femoral physeal growth disturbance that has not been clearly demonstrated in the past. These findings also may provide a histopathological basis for the fluidfilled metaphyseal cysts that sometimes are observed on the magnetic resonance imaging scans of these patients.