Reason: 20 yo M with staph aureus bacteremia, r/o osteomyelitis History: fever There is subtle T2/STIR hyperintensity along the lateral aspect of the first distal phalanx, compatible with bone marrow edema.There is minimal surrounding enhancement within the soft tissues immediately adjacent to the distal phalanx, without definite enhancement within the bone itself. Additionally, there is subtle cortical indistinctness and intermediate T1 signal intensity corresponding to this region in the lateral aspect of the first distal phalanx. The remainder of the imaged forefoot/midfoot is normal. There is normal signal within the bone marrow in overlying soft tissues. There is minimal soft tissue edema within the ventral soft tissues of the foot, without focal fluid collection or abscess. No acute fracture is present.
Findings suggestive of early osteomyelitis along the lateral aspect of the distal first phalanx.