Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in corticosteroid-treated pulmonary disease.

During a ten-year period, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head developed in six patients with pulmonary disease treated with corticosteroids. Five of the six patients had severe bronchial asthma. The sixth patient had desquamative interstitial pneumonia. The literature provides some insight into the possible pathogenesis of corticosteroid-related aseptic necrosis of the femoral head and factors that may prevent this complication.