Preiser disease

Preiser disease, or (idiopathic) avascular necrosis of the scaphoid, is a rare condition where ischemia and necrosis of the scaphoid bone occurs without previous fracture. It is thought to be caused by repetitive microtrauma or side effects of drugs (e.g., steroids or chemotherapy) in conjunction with existing defective vascular supply to the proximal pole of the scaphoid. MRI is the method of choice for diagnosis.

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History

First described by Preiser in 1910 in 5 patients, all with previous history of wrist trauma, and scaphoid fractures in 3 of them.

References

• Karantanas A, Dailiana Z, Malizos K. "The role of MR imaging in scaphoid disorders". Eur Radiol. PMID 17351778.
• Preiser G (1910). "Eine typische posttraumatische und zur spontanfraktur führende ostitis des naviculare carpi". Fortschr Geb Roentgenstr 15: 189–197.