[Roentgenologic diagnosis of acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis]

The X-ray picture is of outstanding importance for diagnosis and treatment of acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Its diagnostic value surpasses that of other costly methods such as scintigraphy. After just 14 days, a typical pathological change of bone structure can be seen. For best possible treatment it is of utmost importance to diagnose the change as early as possible. If the disease develops without clinical signs, diagnosis by x-ray film is sometimes the only possibility.