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Diagnostic imaging

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Plain radiographs show bone resorption at the site of infection with thickening and sclerosis of surrounding bone. The thickened bone may resemble a bone tumour. Sequestrae are necrotic and appear abnormally radio-dense. A sino-gram may help estimate the extent of the abscess.

Radioisotope scans using 99m-Tc diphosphonates show increased uptake at the sites of osteomyelitis. Indium- labelled leukocytes are more specific for infection.

CT and MRI are essential for surgical planning as they allow visualisation of the extent of infection and tissue destruction.

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