Use of ultrasound in osteomyelitis.

The use of ultrasound in osteomyelitis has been studied in 25 patients clinically suspected of osteomyelitis. A sonographic diagnosis of osteomyelitis was made if fluid was present in direct contact with the bone, without intervening soft tissues. This was thought to represent an inflammatory exudate dissecting in a subperiosteal and/or extraperiosteal location. Ultrasonographically 15 patients were found to have osteomyelitis, proved either by surgical drainage or needle aspiration. Seven patients had soft-tissue abscesses, one had cellulitis and two patients had no abnormality.