ABSTRACT
We present a case of primary Nocardia osteomyelitis in the setting of HIV infection. The clinical and radiographic manifestations of musculoskeletal nocardiosis are nonspecific and resemble those of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. To our knowledge no other cases of Nocardia osteomyelitis have been reported in the radiology literature.
Subject(s)
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Nocardia Infections/diagnosis , Nocardia asteroides/isolation & purification , Abscess/microbiology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Ilium/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Osteomyelitis/microbiologyABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate occult cervical spine fractures on radiographs and CT. We reviewed radiographs of 68 patients with cervical spine fractures at a level 1 trauma center. Twenty-six patients showed occult fractures on initial radiographs. Of seven odontoid fractures, two were diagnosed only after thinner repeat CT reconstructions. Five facet fractures were best seen on CT reconstructions. Three occult hangman's fractures were seen by CT. A C1 fracture was diagnosed on CT only. Two fractures through the C2 body were seen only by CT. Eight fractures were obscured by patient's shoulders, including five clay shoveler's fractures, a C6 facet fracture, a bilateral C6 pedicle fracture, and a C7-T1 fracture-dislocation. Odontoid, facet, and lower cervical spine fractures are most commonly occult on radiographs. CT, especially high-quality CT reconstructions for odontoid and facet fractures, can improve the diagnosis of cervical spine fracture.
