Infant with severe eczema and an enlarging left chest wall mass over the last week and elevated white count

Chest, Musculoskeletal
CT and MRI of osteomyelitis of the rib
Axial CT without contrast of the chest (above) shows bilateral axillary adenopathy and soft tissue swelling over the left lateral chest wall and associated rib destruction. Coronal T2 MRI of the chest (below left) shows a high signal intensity fluid collection between the skin and the ribs with surrounding edema. Axial T1 MRI with contrast of the chest (below right) shows extensive enhancement of the left ribs and surrounding muscle.

The diagnosis was cellulitis and a subcutaneous abscess resulting in osteomyelitis of the rib via direct extension. The abscess was drained operatively and grew staphlococcus.

Published