Musculoskeletal Infection: Imaging Pitfalls

Early diagnosis of musculoskeletal infection leads to timely appropriate treatment and prevention of severe complications. Disease severity is variable, depending on virulence of the pathogen and immune response of the host. Diagnosis of musculoskeletal infections can be challenging, since imaging features can mimic other entities such as autoimmune inflammatory diseases, tumors, or traumatic injuries. Symptoms may range from mild extremity discomfort to severe febrile illness with necrosis of the limb. Even with a clinical presentation of infection, imaging studies may fail to detect infection in the early stage or under- or overestimate the severity and extent of the disease. This chapter highlights common pitfalls in the interpretation of images of soft tissue infection, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. Problems in the diagnosis of unrecognized retained foreign bodies and diabetic pedal infection are also discussed.