The radiology of antibiotic-impregnated cement.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the radiologic appearances of the various forms of antibiotic-impregnated cement. Although the radiologic appearances of antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and regular PMMA are identical, peculiarities in the position and morphology of antibiotic-impregnated cement, as illustrated in this review, usually enable the radiologist to differentiate between the two. Its presence indicates one of two things: Either infection was present at the time the PMMA cement was inserted, or there was a high potential for the development of local sepsis, such as in cases of an open fracture. On the basis of this finding, the radiologist should carefully search for evidence of osteomyelitis.