From the Research
Imaging Findings in Osteomyelitis
- A spine X-ray typically shows no significant abnormalities within 4 days of developing osteomyelitis, as the sensitivity of radiography is low in the early stages of the disease 1.
- Conventional radiography may not detect early osseous erosion, and other imaging modalities such as MRI, nuclear medicine, or CT scans may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis 2, 3.
- MRI is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for detecting osteomyelitis, providing detailed information about the extent of the infectious process and soft tissue involvement 2, 3, 4.
Diagnostic Challenges
- The diagnosis of osteomyelitis can be challenging, and imaging tests are frequently performed as part of the diagnostic work-up 5.
- Each imaging modality has its limitations, and a combination of tests may be necessary to establish a timely diagnosis and guide early management 2, 3, 4, 5.
Alternative Imaging Modalities
- Nuclear medicine imaging, such as technetium-99m-diphosphonate bone scintigraphy, gallium-67, and in vitro labelled leukocyte imaging, can be useful in diagnosing osteomyelitis, especially in cases where MRI is not available or contraindicated 5.
- PET scans, such as 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) PET, can also be useful in diagnosing musculoskeletal infections, including spinal infections 5.