Imaging appearances of Osteomyelitis

Question 1

What are the early imaging changes of osteomyelitis ?

Answer 1

Soft tissue swelling and the obliteration of soft tissue planes.

Question 2

What do the inflammatory cells called cytokines do and what does this look like radiographically?

Answer 2

Stimulates osteoclastic action, which looks like osteolysis on x-ray.

Question 3

What is a involucrum and sequestrum?

Answer 3

Lifting of the periosteum impairs blood supply causing an area of necrotic bone called a sequestrum. An area of reactive bone production called an involucrum is formed around the sequestrum.

Question 4

What is a cloaca ?

Answer 4

As the disease progresses a collection of pus forms resulting in an interosseous abscess and raised intramedullary pressure causing a rupture of the cortex.

Question 5

What bony changes occur with Osteomyelitis ?

Answer 5

Regional osteopenia.
Bony lysis.

Question 6

What does the soft tissue look like with Osteomyelitis ?

Answer 6

Swelling with displacement of muscle and fat planes.
Gas within the soft tissue due to metabolism of the microorganisms.