Osteomyelitis: sensitivity of 0.064 T MRI, three-phase bone scanning and indium scanning with biopsy proof

We compared the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 0.064 T permanent magnet, three-phase bone scanning, and indium-labeled white blood cell (111In-WBC) scanning, to diagnose osteomyelitis. Twenty-three patients underwent biopsy. All patients were examined at presentation with all three modalities. Sensitivities for each modality were calculated using biopsy as a gold standard. The results were 72% for MRI, 68% for bone scan, and 45% for 111In-WBC. Specificities were not calculated because of lack of negative biopsies. MRI was as sensitive as bone scanning in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. All modalities had lower than previously reported sensitivities for imaging osteomyelitis.