BILATERAL KIENBOCKS-DISEASE IN SLE

Kienbock's disease, or radiologic avascular necrosis (AVN) of the carp al lunate, is an uncommon disease of young adults. The precise etiolog ical mechanisms are uncertain although multiple mechanical, anatomical , and vascular factors are thought to be involved. A patient with syst emic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed bilateral Kienbock's dise ase during the course of her illness was reported. A vasculopathy rela ted to active vasculitis or the antiphospholipid antibodies was though t to be responsible.