[Potentialities of some x-ray methods in sternal osteomyelitis]

X-Ray examination of 85 patients (63 with sternal osteomyelitis) carried out to plan a surgical intervention should be based on a complex of special methods including roentgenography in the lateral projection, spot roentgenography in oblique projection, and tomography with transverse direction of the x-ray tube movement. Employment of transverse direction of smearing in tomography helps imaging the sternum in the direct frontal projection, mapping the destructive changes, and comparing the results of other examinations with this map. X-Ray computer-aided tomography and osteoscintigraphy are advisable to assess the changes in soft tissues and the process activity. Such an approach appears to be the most useful in planning surgical strategy in patients with sternal osteomyelitis.