Acute osteomyelitis: early diagnosis by ultrasonography.

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the role of ultrasound in early detection of infections of bone. Presence of a hypoechoic collection adjacent to bone was considered highly suggestive of osteomyelitis whereas a hypoechoic collection away from the bone implied a soft tissue abscess. Cellulitis presented as increased subcutaneous thickness. Of the 31 patients clinically suspected to have osteomyelitis, and subjected to ultrasound, 25 were proven to be osteomyelitis at surgery or by subsequent radiological changes, 4 had soft tissue abscesses and the remaining 2 had cellulitis. Co-existent hip joint effusion was seen in 2 patients. It is felt that ultrasound is simple and non-invasive investigation, capable of detecting bone and soft tissue infections.