Imaging of Musculoskeletal Soft-Tissue Infections in Clinical Practice: A Comprehensive Updated Review

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2022 Dec 23

PMID 36557582

Authors

Paolo Spinnato

Dakshesh B Patel

Maddalena Di Carlo

Alessandra Bartoloni

Luca Cevolani

George R Matcuk

Amandine Crombe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal soft-tissue infections include a wide range of clinical conditions that are commonly encountered in both emergency departments and non-emergency clinical settings. Since clinical signs, symptoms, and even laboratory tests can be unremarkable or non-specific, imaging plays a key role in many cases. MRI is considered the most comprehensive and sensitive imaging tool available for the assessment of musculoskeletal infections. Ultrasound is a fundamental tool, especially for the evaluation of superficially located diseases and for US-guided interventional procedures, such as biopsy, needle-aspiration, and drainage. Conventional radiographs can be very helpful, especially for the detection of foreign bodies and in cases of infections with delayed diagnosis displaying bone involvement. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the radiological tools available and the imaging features of the most common musculoskeletal soft-tissue infections, including cellulitis, necrotizing and non-necrotizing fasciitis, foreign bodies, abscess, pyomyositis, infectious tenosynovitis, and bursitis.

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