Radiologic Mimics of Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis: A Pictorial Essay

Figure 19

Lateral and oblique right foot radiographs (a) of a 47-year-old woman with type II diabetes and Charcot arthropathy involving the midfoot. Disorganised hindfoot with joint destruction and disorganisation (arrow). Note the absence of osteopenia that is typically observed in infection. Coronal STIR (b) and T1 (c) of a different patient with Charcot arthropathy with hindfoot destruction, hindfoot valgus, and dislocation. The contrast was not administered due to chronic renal failure. The talus is flattened and sclerotic (arrow). Note the fluid collection in the distal tibial shaft (dotted arrow) and the medial tibiotalar articulation. This patient had both neuropathic arthropathy complicated by chronic osteomyelitis with intraosseous abscess formation. At times, different conditions can preexist, and ultimately, tissue sampling may be required.

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