Osteomyelitis: characteristics and pitfalls of diagnosis with MR imaging.

• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.180.2.2068324
• Publication Date: 2014-07-08T20:53:42Z
• Authors: W A Erdman; F Tamburro; H T Jayson; P T Weatherall; K B Ferry; R M Peshock
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Arthritis, Infectious; Adolescent; Infant; Osteomyelitis; Middle Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diabetes Complications; Muscular Diseases; Bone Marrow; Child, Preschool; Acute Disease; Chronic Disease; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Child; Aged; Retrospective Studies

Prospective and retrospective magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (0.35-T) interpretations were compared with final diagnoses in 110 patients suspected to have osteomyelitis. Diagnostic criteria of dark marrow on T1-weighted images bright short-tau inversion-recovery yielded a prospective sensitivity 98% specificity 75%. Sixty percent uncomplicated septic joint effusions demonstrated abnormal signal intensity that was mistaken for Retrospective review revealed overall could be improved 82% without loss if increased T2-weighted included as an additional criterion. Specificity may further by use knowledge morphologic patterns distinguish various forms Ten (9%) had potential pitfall (eg, fracture, infarction, healed infection) mimic MR can sensitive specific osteomyelitis characteristic appearances are incorporated into the diagnostic criteria.