Imaging mimickers of MSK infection.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, both infectious and non-infectious.
• Many non-infectious MSK conditions share nonspecific imaging findings with infections.
• Differentiating these conditions is critical for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and illustrate the imaging findings of common and rare mimickers of MSK infections.
• To discuss potential distinguishing imaging characteristics between MSK infections and their mimics.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings in musculoskeletal infections.
• Analysis of imaging features of non-infectious conditions that mimic MSK infections.
• Comparison of imaging characteristics to identify distinguishing features.

Main Results:

• Nonspecific imaging findings are common in both infectious and non-infectious MSK conditions.
• Certain imaging features can help differentiate between MSK infections and mimickers like inflammatory arthropathies, metabolic conditions, degenerative diseases, and tumors.
• Rare mimickers also present diagnostic challenges.

Conclusions:

• Accurate differentiation of MSK infections from mimickers using imaging is essential for effective treatment.
• Understanding the spectrum of imaging findings in both infectious and non-infectious MSK conditions improves diagnostic accuracy.
• Radiologists must be aware of potential mimickers to avoid misdiagnosis.