MR imaging of chronic osteomyelitis

Magnetic resonance (MR) at 1.5 T was used preoperatively and prior to aspiration to determine extent and location of infection in eight patients with chronic osteomyelitis. There was excellent correlation between MR and surgical findings in all cases. Infected areas, both intraosseous and extraosseous, displayed increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Sequestra, sinus tracts, and soft tissue abscesses were seen. By directly imaging foci of infection MR may have certain advantages over CT and scintigraphy in the evaluation of chronic osteomyelitis.