Reason: Evaluate for osteomyelitis vs. septic arthritis vs. Cellulitis History: left foot pain There is diffuse subcutaneous edema, particularly involving the dorsal aspect of the foot. Although the edema becomes confluent dorsally, we see no well-defined fluid collection to indicate abscess. There is perhaps mild edema of the plantar musculature of the foot, which is nonspecific. Osteoarthritic changes are noted in the interphalangeal joint of the great toe as seen on recent radiographs, but we see no bone marrow signal abnormalities to suggest osteomyelitis. There is a small amount of fluid in the first MTP joint, likely physiologic. We see no findings to suggest septic arthritis. There is a small amount of metallic susceptibility artifact in the web space of the first and second toes.
Subcutaneous edema consistent with stated diagnosis of cellulitis, but we see no imaging features of septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.