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Familial Mediterranean fever mimicking septic arthritis: distinguishing with diffusion weighted imaging

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Abstract

FMF arthritis is generally monoarticular in origin. The affected joint is hot, tender, red and mimics septic arthritis. Conventional imaging findings, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, do not help differentiate between these two entities. The final diagnosis depends on culture of the synovial fluid, and therefore initiation of proper drug therapy can be delayed. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), with its ability to detect altered water-proton mobility, might play an important role as a fast and non-invasive problem-solving tool in this setting. We here present MRI and DWI findings of a case of FMF arthritis mimicking septic arthritis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, 06510, Besevler-Ankara, Turkey

    Ali Yusuf Oner, Murat Ucar, Sergin Akpek & Nil Tokgoz

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  1. Ali Yusuf Oner
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  2. Murat Ucar
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  3. Sergin Akpek
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  4. Nil Tokgoz
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Correspondence to Ali Yusuf Oner.

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Oner, A., Ucar, M., Akpek, S. et al. Familial Mediterranean fever mimicking septic arthritis: distinguishing with diffusion weighted imaging. Skeletal Radiol 36 (Suppl 1), 105–107 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-006-0153-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-006-0153-x

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