Parasitic and fungal disease of bones and joints.

Among the musculoskeletal infections, fungal and parasitic diseases are infrequent and may have a nonspecific imaging factor. The incidences of fungal and parasitic bone infections are related to geographic distribution, ethnic and nutritional factors, and occupation. Immunocompromise and ease of travel can lead to increased incidence. These are a group of chronic disorders, and delayed diagnosis is common because radiographs, computed tomography, isotope studies, and magnetic resonance imaging are useful but often do not have specific signs for determination of the causative infective fungal or parasitic organism. Definitive diagnosis is possible with a high index of clinical suspicion and aspiration. Copyright 2004 Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.