Janzen D L, Tirman P F, Rabassa A E, Kumar S
San Francisco Magnetic Resonance Center, CA 94118-1944, USA.
Skeletal Radiol. 1995 Feb;24(2):142-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00198079.
We present an unusual case in which retained lead bullet in the wrist joint dissolved and migrated into a synovial recess, producing reactive focal synovitis. The clinical presentation suggested a soft tissue mass or ganglion cyst. The radiologic findings of dense metallic fragments within a recess of the wrist joint established the correct diagnosis and excluded other causes of soft tissue masses. Radiologic recognition of retained intra-articular lead fragments is important, as the clinical features of systemic lead intoxication, lead arthopathy, or reactive focal synovitis may be subtle or misleading.
