[Imaging of child osteoarticular infections].

The diagnostic strategy in imaging osteoarticular infections is currently quite well codified. X-rays, always available in the emergency situation, are systematically taken. They can be usefully completed with sonography in accessible superficial locations, when looking for a puncturable abscess. MRI is not systematic but is widely used: In place of bone scintigraphy, when osteomyelitis is suspected with a normal x-ray and a clinical warning sign; In the acute period of certain deep topographies when looking for an abscess (pelvis, spinal cord); When growth cartilage is involved to evaluate the risk of epiphysiodesis; When there is resistance to treatment; In the chronic forms of osteomyelitis, for diagnosis and evaluating the extent of infection. The CT scanner has few indications: it is performed when looking for bone sequestrum in chronic forms and when MRI access is impossible in difficult anatomical sectors (spinal cord, pelvis, scapula). Scintigraphy is currently only performed when x-rays are normal and there are no clinical warning signs.