Osteomyelitis - big toe

Case contributed by Mostafa Elfeky
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Diabetic patient with left big toe swelling

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male

Left foot

x-ray

The distal phalanx of the big toe shows dorsal subluxation and ventral cortical destruction with subcortical lucencies. This is surrounded by marked soft tissue edema.

Follow up after 2 weeks

x-ray

The distal phalanx of the big toe shows progressive dorsal subluxation and still noted osteolytic bone changes and soft tissue swelling.

Intertarsal degenerative osteoarthritic changes are noted.

Case Discussion

These radiographs show typical findings of phalangeal osteomyelitis, which is seen commonly in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

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