The authors present the case-history of a female patient with non-differentiated connective tissue disease of the systemic lupus erythematosus type with features of Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and vascularitis. The patient developed a total of seven osteonecroses, probably associated with long-term corticosteroid (Cs) treatment administered in repeated i.v. pulsed doses. The authors analyze the incidence of osteonecroses in systemic connective tissue disease, in particular those treated with Cs and the necessity of early detection of osteonecrosis.

        Key words: non-differentiated systemic connective tissue disease, corticosteroids, osteonecrosis