Osteomyelitis imaging findings

	Osteomyelitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Osteomyelitis from Other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Osteomyelitis imaging findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Osteomyelitis imaging findings All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Osteomyelitis imaging findings
CDC on Osteomyelitis imaging findings
Osteomyelitis imaging findings in the news
Blogs on Osteomyelitis imaging findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Osteomyelitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Osteomyelitis imaging findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Imaging Findings

Diagnosis of osteomyelitis is often based on radiologic results showing a lytic center with a ring of sclerosis, though bone cultures are normally required to identify the specific pathogen.

Conventional radiographic evaluation of acute osteomyelitis is insufficient because bone changes are not evident for 14–21 days after the onset of infection.
Although MR imaging is the accepted modality of choice for the early detection and surgical localization of osteomyelitis, in the emergency department, CT is usually more readily available for establishing the diagnosis. ^[1]
At CT, features of bacterial osteomyelitis include overlying soft-tissue swelling, periosteal reaction, medullary low-attenuation areas or trabecular coarsening, and focal cortical erosions.