Rubella

a contagious viral disease, also known as German measles, which can cause serious skeletal and nonskeletal abnormalities in the fetus if the mother is infected during gestation. Generally rubella is a benign disease in nonpregnant adults, however.

On radiographs bone lesions due to intrauterine rubella infection include metaphyseal lesions in long bones producing a celery stalk appearance (consisting of a longitudinally orientated striated pattern) in the absence of periostitis. Histologic evidence of osteomyelitis is generally lacking. The bone alterations of intrauterine rubella can simulate those noted in other viral disorders.

In adult patients, rubella arthritis or chronic arthropathy has also been associated with rubella vaccination. The arthropathy resembles that of juvenile chronic arthritis.