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Computed tomography of pressure sores
The Journal of Computed Tomography
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) effectively detects pelvic abscesses and osteomyelitis in paralyzed patients with pressure sores. CT imaging also aids in surgical planning by detailing the extent of tissue damage and adjacent muscle condition.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Recurrent pressure sores are a significant complication in paralyzed patients.
- Accurate diagnosis of associated pelvic complications is crucial for effective treatment.
- Conventional imaging modalities may have limitations in detecting deep-seated infections and osteomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) compared to other imaging techniques for pressure sore complications.
- To assess the role of CT in identifying peripelvic abscesses and pelvic osteomyelitis.
- To determine the usefulness of CT in preoperative planning for pressure sore management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 23 paralyzed patients with recurrent pressure sores.
- Utilized computed tomography, bone scanning, gallium scanning, and sonography.
- Correlated imaging findings with clinical and surgical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Computed tomography diagnosed associated peripelvic and pelvic abscesses and osteomyelitis in over half of patients, undetected by other methods combined.
- CT accurately delineated the undermining extent of pressure sores and fibrous scar thickness.
- CT provided essential information on the size and status of adjacent muscles for surgical planning.
Conclusions:
- Computed tomography is a superior imaging modality for diagnosing pelvic complications associated with pressure sores in paralyzed individuals.
- CT imaging significantly enhances preoperative planning, leading to more informed surgical decisions.
- Multimodality imaging, with CT as a key component, is recommended for comprehensive evaluation.