Case report: chronic osteomyelitis demonstrated by high resolution ultrasonography

Ultrasound is a well established method of imaging for many systems of the body. The physical properties of bone do not usually lend themselves to ultrasonic investigation, due to the reflection of sound waves at a soft tissue/bone interface. However, the periosteum, early new bone formation and soft tissue changes alongside dense bone may be imaged. The diagnosis of osteomyelitis is usually made using a combination of plain radiography, nuclear medicine and computed tomography, although magnetic resonance imaging is also proving to be of value. The use of sonography has occasionally been recorded in acute osteomyelitis. We present a case of chronic osteomyelitis in which the features were clearly shown ultrasonographically.