Osteomyelitis of the femoral neck caused by a pencil stab wound.

A unique case of osteomyelitis of the femoral neck of an eleven-year-old boy, following a stab wound by a lead pencil, with reactive synovitis of the hip joint is presented. The clinical course simulated that of acute septic arthritis and was diagnosed by various imaging modalities. Following operation and systemic antibiotic treatment, the patient improved dramatically. The role of sonography in the presence of inflammatory conditions around the hip joint is emphasized.