99mTc-Annexin V apoptosis imaging was found to be superior to 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy for the early detection of glucocorticoid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis (Figures 3 and 4) and may be used to observe the therapeutic effect of novel treatment strategies. This evidence concerns the gene ANXA5 and familial avascular necrosis of femoral head.