[Osteonecrosis of the femoral head of sickle-cell origin. Apropos of 19 cases observed during a year in Benin. Proposal for radiologic classification].

The author reports 19 aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, due to sickle-cell anemia, collected in 14 black people native from Benin. Sickle-cell anemia is the most frequent etiology of osteonecrosis there. They are generally observed between 10 and 30 years of age. A systematic and complete study of the radiological signs has been carried out. The peculiar severity of the disease in black Africa is related to the chronicity of the sickling disorder, the delay brought to the diagnostic, the lack in therapeutic media. A six stage X-ray classification is argued because of the most severe aspects.