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Soft tissue and joint infection.
- Source :
-
European radiology [Eur Radiol] 2004 Mar; Vol. 14 Suppl 3, pp. E64-71. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Soft tissue infection may be acute or chronic and may be introduced by the haematogenous route, or by inoculation, including surgical infection, or spread from other areas. The spectrum of infecting organism differs in primary infection, in immunodeficiency or when foreign bodies, including prostheses, are present. Bacterial infections are usually more rapid than those due to fungi or atypical organisms. Inflammation usually begins as cellulitis, proceeding through necrosis to cavitation and abscess formation, sometimes complicated by haemorrhage. Imaging, apart from MRI in selected cases, is rarely helpful in the early stages, but early diagnosis of pyomyositis and necrotizing fasciitis is mandatory. When infection is established, US, CT and MRI all have individual value in diagnosis, including biopsy, and in directing therapy, including percutaneous or surgical drainage or debridement. Both MRI and CT are best suited to monitoring progress. Septic arthritis presents as rapidly progressive, destructive arthritis, and early diagnosis is essential to prevent long-term morbidity. Ultrasound offers the best method of detecting early joint effusion and synovial thickening, but aspiration is usually required for diagnosis. In more advanced stages CT is valuable for revealing destructive changes, and MRI for documenting intra-articular changes and detecting inflammation in surrounding bone.
- Subjects :
- Arthritis, Infectious diagnostic imaging
Arthritis, Infectious microbiology
Arthritis, Infectious pathology
Bone and Bones diagnostic imaging
Bone and Bones microbiology
Bone and Bones pathology
Humans
Joint Diseases diagnostic imaging
Joints pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Soft Tissue Infections diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography
Joint Diseases microbiology
Joints microbiology
Soft Tissue Infections microbiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0938-7994
- Volume :
- 14 Suppl 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- European radiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14749954
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2048-8