Avascular necrosis of both femoral heads following short-term high-dose steroid treatment for acute severe asthma - A rare presentation: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

A 50-year-old patient who had acute severe asthma presented with avascular necrosis (AVN) of both femoral heads 6 months after short-term high-dose steroid therapy. The use of steroids on a long-term basis can cause AVN of the bone which also occurs in various diseases. A variety of traumatic and nontraumatic factors contribute to the etiology of AVN although long-term exogenous steroid administration and alcoholism are among the most common nontraumatic causes. AVN of both femoral heads presenting after short-term high-dose steroid treatment for acute severe asthma is rare in medical literature; thus, prompting the present case report.