[Avascular necrosis in a man with HIV infection].

Recently, a high incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported in HIV-infected individuals. We present a further case of AVN of both femoral heads, the left distal femur and the proximal tibia in a 19-year-old HIV-positive man. The patient complained of severe pain in both hips, which had lasted 10 months. The diagnosis was aided by radiological assessment and radioisotope bone scan and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had been receiving antiretroviral therapy for 30 months and had no other known risk factors for developing AVN. We recommend early evaluation of musculoskeletal pain in HIV-infected patients to rule out AVN.