MR imaging in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and soft tissue infection

ABSTRACT

29 patients with clinical findings consistent with osteomyelitis, soft tissue infection or both were studied with magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T. Soft tissue abscess, cellulitis and osteomyelitis were well depicted on MR imaging allowing the correct diagnosis of the presence and extent of infection. MR imaging can differentiate between cellulitis and abscess, which is not possible by any other imaging modalities. The MR imaging findings of osteomyelitis and abscesses agreed with the surgical findings in 96% of the cases. MRI has proved its high ability to detect the inflammatory changes earlier than other modalities