ACR Appropriateness Criteria ® Suspected Osteomyelitis of the Foot in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes-related foot complications such as soft-tissue infection, osteomyelitis, and neuropathic osteoarthropathy account for up to 20% of all diabetic-related North American hospital admissions. Radiography of the foot is usually appropriate as the initial screening examination in diabetic patients with suspected osteomyelitis of the foot. For follow-up examination, MRI of the foot with or without contrast enhancement demonstrates excellent soft-tissue contrast and sensitivity to marrow abnormalities with high-resolution detail in multiple anatomic planes and is usually appropriate when osteomyelitis or early neuropathic arthropathy is suspected.
Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Appropriate use criteria Source Type: research