diagnostic imaging
Last reviewed 01/2018
Plain radiographs show bone resorption at the site of infection with thickening and sclerosis of surrounding bone. The thickened bone may resemble a bone tumour. Sequestrae are necrotic and appear abnormally radio-dense. A sino-gram may help estimate the extent of the abscess.
Radioisotope scans using 99m-Tc diphosphonates show increased uptake at the sites of osteomyelitis. Indium- labelled leukocytes are more specific for infection.
CT and MRI are essential for surgical planning as they allow visualisation of the extent of infection and tissue destruction.