MRI evaluation of aseptic osteonecrosis in children over the course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Purpose: The study aimed at MRI evaluation of aseptic osteonecrosis (AON) i n children over the course of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 72 MRI studies in 20 children presentin g with AON during chemotherapy. Two groups were differentiated: Gr. I (n=8) was treated exclusively with relief of weightbearing structures, Gr. II (n =12) was additionally treated with HBO therapy. The MRI examinations were e valuated by a point-score system (1-6 points) by two radiologists. Results: Gr. II initially showed more severe findings (average score: 3.4) in compa rison to Gr. I (average score: 2.65). During the follow-up time period the average scores rose to 3.2 score-points in Gr. I and 4.1 points in Gr. II. No statistically significant difference was evident between the two groups in the course of AON. Conclusion: The majority of chemotherapy associated A ON which initially present with advanced findings show a progression in MRI over their further course. HBO therapy in addition to the relief of affect ed weightbearing structures statistically shows no significant improvement in MRI morphology during the course of the treatment.