Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Nontraumatic Musculoskeletal Emergencies

Many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system involve nontraumatic causes. MR imaging is used in the diagnosis because of its high sensitivity and specificity compared with other modalities. Osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and stress fractures are pathologies of bone where early diagnosis and intervention usually lead to an improved outcome. Joint aspiration and culture is the standard for diagnosing septic arthritis. MR imaging can support the diagnosis and allows evaluation for adjacent abscess and osteomyelitis. Early in the disease process, necrotizing fasciitis may not be clinically suspected and imaging may provide the first indication of the presence of this potentially deadly infection.