Although avascular necrosis after fracture of the scaphoid is common, it rarely develops without apparent trauma. Preiser's disease is commonly associated with avascular necrosis of the scaphoid without fracture or trauma. A critical review of Preiser's original article reveals that all of his cases, as well as three of seven additional cases in the literature, were associated with fracture or trauma. Preiser's disease, therefore, should be traumatic avascular necrosis and differentiated from truly nontraumatic avascular necrosis. Five additional cases in four patients with nontraumatic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid are presented.