Diabetic Foot Infections: The Diagnostic Challenges
Chiara Lauri1,2, Antonio Leone3, Marco Cavallini4
1Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 12, 2020
Summary
Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are hard to diagnose, often requiring imaging tests to distinguish between bone infection (osteomyelitis) and other conditions. This review explores multimodality imaging for accurate DFI diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are serious diabetes complications.
- Differentiating DFIs from osteomyelitis (OM), soft tissue infection (STI), and Charcot's osteoarthropathy is diagnostically challenging.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of multimodality imaging for DFI diagnosis.
- To offer evidence-based answers for clinicians regarding imaging in DFI.
- To highlight the need for improved diagnostic tools for diabetic foot complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on multimodality imaging techniques for DFI.
- Analysis of diagnostic accuracy of various imaging modalities.
- Discussion of the role of nuclear medicine and radiology in DFI management.
Main Results:
- Multimodality imaging offers potential for non-invasive detection, localization, and extent evaluation of DFI.
- Current diagnostic methods, including pathogen isolation, have limitations.
- No definitive diagnostic flowcharts for DFI management currently exist.
Conclusions:
- Multimodality imaging is essential for accurate DFI diagnosis.
- A multidisciplinary approach is key for managing diabetic patients with infective complications.
- Further research into advanced imaging techniques is warranted for improved DFI assessment.
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