Septic arthritis CT
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Septic arthritis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Septic arthritis CT On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Septic arthritis CT |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Diagnostic studies such as computerised tomography (CT) are rarely used to diagnose septic arthritis such as in joints which are unable to do closed needle arthrocentensis. Also, CT is more sensitive than plain films for the detection of early bone destruction and effusion.
CT
Computerised tomography is used to diagnose ambiguous cases of septic arthritis to differentiate it from other causes of acute arthritis or to determine the extent of bone and soft tissue infections. But, it is less sensitive in the early stages of the disease. In the late stages of septic arthritis, CT shows: visualization of joint effusion, soft tissue swelling, para-articular abscesses, joint space widening due to localized edema, bone erosions, foci of osteitis, and scleroses.