Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue
07:48

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

Published on: September 30, 2022

1.3K

Imaging of MSK infections in the ER

Andrew Kompel1, Ali Guermazi2,3

  • 1Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. andrew.kompel@bmc.org.

Skeletal Radiology
|December 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Imaging for musculoskeletal infections in the emergency room depends on infection severity. Ultrasound is useful for superficial infections, CT for deeper issues, and MRI for bone infections like osteomyelitis.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Musculoskeletal infections are common emergency room presentations.
  • Clinical context dictates the suspicion and extent of infection, involving tissues from skin to bone.
  • Imaging modality choice depends on infection location, extent, and severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the appropriate use of imaging in diagnosing musculoskeletal infections in the emergency department.
  • To correlate imaging techniques with the suspected depth and location of musculoskeletal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of imaging modalities including ultrasound, CT, and MRI for musculoskeletal infections.
  • Correlation of imaging findings with clinical suspicion and suspected tissue involvement.

Main Results:

  • Uncomplicated cellulitis generally requires no imaging.
  • Ultrasound is effective for localized, superficial infections.
  • CT accurately diagnoses diffuse or deep soft tissue infections (muscle/fascia) and is widely available.
  • MRI is the gold standard for acute osteomyelitis but has limitations.

Conclusions:

  • Imaging selection for musculoskeletal infections is guided by clinical assessment.
  • Each modality (ultraltrasound, CT, MRI) has specific indications and limitations in diagnosing musculoskeletal infections.
  • Appropriate imaging improves diagnostic accuracy and guides patient management in the ER setting.
Keywords:
AbscessCellulitisFasciitisInfectionOsteomyelitisSeptic arthritisTenosynovitis

More Related Videos

Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice18:40

Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice

Published on: October 16, 2014

17.2K
A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging10:53

A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging

Published on: September 17, 2013

24.2K

Related Concept Videos

Ultrasonography01:17

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
4.5K
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI01:14

Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI

Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
247
X-ray Imaging01:24

X-ray Imaging

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with...
5.5K
Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
5.2K
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT01:30

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and...
241
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
188