Abstract
We describe 3 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with diffuse pain, swelling, and erythema of the distal aspect of the lower extremity, suggestive of either cellulitis or thrombophlebitis, but were found to have insufficiency fractures of the distal tibia. The value of technetium-99m diphosphonate bone scintigraphy in the early recognition of these fractures and a possible explanation for the associated inflammatory symptoms are discussed.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
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Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
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Cellulitis / diagnosis*
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Diphosphonates
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Female
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Fractures, Closed / complications
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Fractures, Closed / diagnosis*
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Fractures, Closed / diagnostic imaging
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Humans
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Middle Aged
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Radionuclide Imaging
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Technetium
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Technetium Compounds*
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Tibial Fractures / complications
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Tibial Fractures / diagnosis*
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Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging
Substances
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Diphosphonates
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Technetium Compounds
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Technetium
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technetium Tc 99m diphosphonate