Frequency of idiopathic aseptic necrosis in medically treated alcoholics.

The occurrence of idopathic aseptic necrosis of bone in multiple sites has been studied in persons who have had medical treatment for excessive consumption of alcohol. The incidence was 5.3% in 1157 such persons and there were 92 different sites in 62 patients. There were 82 lesions affecting the femoral head, 46 in the left hip and 36 in the right. In 10, it was present in the head of the humerus. Multiple foci were found in 6.1% of patients with the disease. In 2 men and 2 women both femoral heads and both humeral heads were affected. In 2 men the necrosis was present in both humeral heads and the head of the right femur.