Imaging of posttraumatic osteomyelitis.

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. Copyright 2004 Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.