Radiologic Mimics of Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis: A Pictorial Essay

Figure 3

A 45-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle accident sustained an undisplaced 5^th metacarpal shaft fracture ((a), arrow). Repeating X-ray 16 days later (b), given the persistent pain, revealed rarefaction of 4^th and 5^th carpometacarpal (CMC) joints consistent with osteomyelitis and septic arthritis (arrow). X-ray-following washout and introduction of antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer (arrow). Coronal STIR (d) and T1 (e) sequences of the wrist show the extent of the infection involving all carpal bones and base of the 2^nd to 5^th metacarpals. (c)