title: Metallosis mimicking osteomyelitis from a forearm plate retained for 50 years.
abstract: A forearm plate retained for 50 years was removed because an acute inflammation mimicked chronic infection. The radiographs were very confusing. During the operation metallosis was obvious. Despite the general opinion that forearm plates should be kept in place, this probably should not apply to old "historical" hardware of uncertain chemical composition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Pellenberg, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003343:Corrosion; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals