The Role of Serial Radiographs in Diagnosing Diabetic Foot Bone Osteomyelitis.

Background and Objective: Diagnosing diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis is sometimes a challenge for clinicians since it may occur without local or systemic signs of infection. Thus, the primary purpose of this article was to evaluate the role of progressive radiographic changes in diagnosing diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of databases of our Institution was performed to identify all long-standing diabetic foot patients who underwent two radiographic examinations spaced no more than five weeks apart and a subsequent magnetic resonance (MR) examination from November 2015 to November 2020. A total of 46 patients (32 men, 14 women; mean age, 57.3 years) were identified. Results: serial radiographs showed 89% sensitivity, 38% specificity, 80% diagnostic accuracy, 87% positive predictive value (PPV), 43% negative predictive value (NPV) to diagnose osteomyelitis (P value < 0,05). Bone destruction was the most reliable radiographic sign with 89% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 89% diagnostic accuracy, 97% PPV, 64% NPV (P value < 0,05). Conclusion: Progressive bony changes detected by serial radiographs are a useful tool to diagnose diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

Systemic Mastocytosis: Radiological Point of View.

Radiological diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM) can be hard to establish. This difficulty is mainly due to the variable radiological features involving many organ systems (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular, lympho-reticular, digestive systems, and most commonly skin), and above all, to the broad spectrum of skeletal findings. Skeletal involvement is the most common and prominent imaging feature in patients with SM and represents a prognostic factor as it may entail an aggressive course of the disease. Diagnosis, largely established by histological evaluation of a bone marrow trephine biopsy, supplemented by imaging modalities such as radiography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging, requires a team approach between the hematologist, radiologist, and pathologist. The general radiologist needs to be familiar with the imaging findings because they may be the first to suggest the correct diagnosis. The primary purpose of this review article was to equip clinicians with pertinent radiological semiotics by presenting relevant radiological features that assist early diagnosis and selection of an effective treatment.