Reactivation in post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis: Ultrasonographic findings

Sudhakar K. Venkatesh, Barbara Riederer, Rethy K. Chhem, Etienne Cardinal, Shih Chang Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To describe the ultrasound (US) features of reactivation in post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis in adults. Methods: Twelve patients with clinical suspicion of reactivation of chronic osteomyelitis, secondary to trauma, surgery, and who were investigated with US were selected for the study. The following US features were assessed: periosseous fluid collection, bone changes (periosteal reactions, cortical irregularity, callus, sequestrum and cloaca) and soft-tissue changes (cellulitis and sinus tracts). US findings were correlated with plain radiography (n = 11), computed tomography (n = 3) and magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2). Results: US detected fluid collections in all patients (12 periosseous and 3 in soft tissues), bone changes in 10 and sinus tracts and cellulitis in 5 patients each. Bone changes detected were cortical irregularity (n = 10), discontinuity of cortex (n = 7), sequestrum (n = 2), callus (n = 2), periosteal reaction (n = 1) and cloaca (n = 1). Cellulitis was seen in 5 patients and sinus tracts in 5. Reactivation was confirmed at surgery in all patients. Conclusion: US is a reliable noninvasive imaging modality for the diagnosis of reactivation of post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis in adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)163-168
Number of pages6
JournalCanadian Association of Radiologists Journal
Volume54
Issue number3
StatePublished - Jun 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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