Posttraumatic osteomyelitis frequently leads to an illness characterized by chronicity
and recurrences. Bone changes themselves, developed during chronic infection, and
orthopedic implants heavily influence the diagnostic value of the different imaging
methods. Conventional radiography remains the cornerstone of imaging of acute and
chronic osteomyelitis, but other modalities such as ultrasonography, radionuclide
studies, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary. The
values of the techniques in different clinical settings are described.
KEYWORDS
Osteomyelitis - trauma - magnetic resonance imaging - radiography
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Karen-Helge BühneM.D.
Department of Radiology, Klinikum Augsburg
Stenglinstraße 2, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
