[Hematogenous osteomyelitis in children : A feared pediatric emergency]

Hematogenously disseminated osteomyelitis in children and adolescents is an acute disease with a substantial threat to the health of a child or adolescent. Due to the destruction of bones or joints within hours to days and the risk of bacterial sepsis, it is a feared pediatric emergency that requires hospitalization in a children's hospital and rapid action.

The standard radiological procedures are X‑ray, sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Contrast-enhanced MRI has established itself as the gold standard for the detection of osteomyelitis.

It is characterized by a very high sensitivity and high specificity.

If there is a clinical suspicion of bacterial osteomyelitis, an MRI diagnosis must be carried out quickly.