[Comparative studies on cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead accumulation in coxarthrosis and idiopathic femur head necrosis].

Possible heavy-metal toxicity due to cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in coxarthrosis and idiopathic necrosis of the head of the femur is reported on for the first time. Studies are made in the diseased head of the femur by means of ICP emission spectroscopy and atom absorption spectrophotometry. Whereas the blood and bone analyses in the own control group and in the coxarthrosis patients show normal values, a statistically significantly elevated element concentration in the head of the femur in the case of idiopathic necrosis of the head of the femur could be demonstrated with regard to the heavy-metal toxicity due to cadmium, nickel and lead. The analysis of the necrotic zone itself also shows considerable accumulations both for chromium and for nickel and lead. Since the analysed trace elements are strongly toxic in high concentrations, further clarification of a possible causal relationship between toxic trace element concentration and idiopathic necrosis of the head of the femur appears necessary.