Sinography in management of decubitus ulcers

Draining sinuses are considered a major complication of decubitus ulcers in spinal cord injury patients. Of 144 such patients with decubitus ulcers admitted in 1975 and 1976, 15 had draining sinuses. Twenty-one sinograms were obtained in the process of their evaluation prior to treatment. In 6 patients, sinography resulted in unexpected findings such as excessive depth of the sinus tract, abscess formation, undermining of previous graft, and extension into neighboring joints, affecting both the management of the decubitus ulcers and the surgical approach. It is concluded that sinography should become an integral part of management of decubitus ulcers with draining sinuses.