The femoral head receives blood supply mainly
from the deep branch of the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA).
In previous studies we have performed anatomical dissections of
16 specimens and subsequently visualised the arteries supplying
the femoral head in
55 healthy individuals. In this further radiological study we compared
the arterial supply of the femoral head in 35 patients (34 men and
one woman, mean age 37.1 years (16 to 64)) with a fracture/dislocation
of the hip with a historical control group of 55 hips. Using CT
angiography, we identified the three main arteries supplying the femoral
head: the deep branch and the postero-inferior nutrient artery both
arising from the MFCA, and the piriformis branch of the inferior
gluteal artery. It was possible to visualise changes in blood flow
after fracture/dislocation. Our results suggest that blood flow is present after reduction
of the dislocated hip. The deep branch of the MFCA was patent and
contrast-enhanced in 32 patients, and the diameter of this branch
was significantly larger in the fracture/dislocation group than
in the control group (p = 0.022). In a subgroup of ten patients
with avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, we found a contrast-enhanced
deep branch of the MFCA in eight hips. Two patients with no blood
flow in any of the three main arteries supplying the femoral head
developed AVN. Cite this article:
