MRI of the foot for suspected osteomyelitis: improving radiology reports for orthopaedic surgeons

Of all the available imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best test for evaluation of possible osteomyelitis because of its high sensitivity for bone marrow abnormalities, soft tissue contrast, and depiction of anatomic detail. In this article we review the literature on MRI of pedal osteomyelitis, focusing on how radiologists can be most helpful to the orthopaedic surgeon if they review the pretest probability of disease, examine for secondary signs as well as primary signs of osteomyelitis, and grade their degree of suspicion when reporting these cases.