[Osteomyelitis in adults]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Context:

• Osteomyelitis (OM) is a bone infection with increasing prevalence.
• Early diagnosis is difficult due to nonspecific symptoms, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes.

Purpose:

• To provide a structured overview of osteomyelitis pathogenesis.
• To detail the role of various imaging modalities in OM diagnosis.
• To discuss key differential diagnoses for bone inflammatory conditions.

Summary:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for early osteomyelitis detection, identifying bone marrow edema.
• Specific signs like the 'penumbra sign' and 'ghost sign' aid in differentiating OM from tumors and Charcot arthropathy.
• Computed tomography (CT) is vital for chronic OM and sequestrum evaluation, while FDG-PET assists in complex cases, particularly with implants.

Impact:

• A multidisciplinary, imaging-guided approach is essential for optimal osteomyelitis management.
• Advanced MRI techniques and hybrid nuclear medicine procedures improve diagnostic accuracy.
• Enhanced diagnostic capabilities lead to better surgical planning, therapy, and follow-up for osteomyelitis patients.