CT Area of Interest CT allows for the evaluation of various soft tissue compartments and may help differentiate cellulitis, myositis, tenosynovitis, abscess, and septic arthritis [11]. CT with intravenous (IV) contrast can assess soft tissue and the extent of infection, which can guide aspiration or surgical debridement. Contrast-enhanced CT can also improve Suspected Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis the detection of synovitis, inflammation, fistulas, abscesses, and vascular complications [4]. CT is also the most sensitive modality for detecting soft tissue gas. Although CT is not sensitive at detecting early bone marrow changes, it can show early periosteal reaction and bone erosions, adjacent soft tissue infection, or septic arthritis. MRI Area of Interest MRI allows for the evaluation of musculoskeletal soft tissue infections because of its high sensitivity to fluid and inflammation in bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues [2,6,12]. Because of its excellent spatial and contrast resolution, MRI is excellent at detecting and evaluating the extent of both superficial and deep soft tissue infections [13]. MRI can also exclude soft tissue infection, if edema or fluid signal representing inflammation, joint effusion, or abscess are not present [2,6]. Contrast-enhanced MRI further increases the diagnostic sensitivity for abscesses, fistulas, and vascular complications. Detection of inflammation of joints, bursa, tendons, and muscles is also improved with contrast-enhanced MRI. Compared to CT, soft tissue gas is not as well visualized on MRI. Although MRI often provides imaging for preoperative planning, MRI is not commonly used for image-guided aspiration or drainage. US Area of Interest US is useful for detecting fluid, including joint effusions, abscesses, and infected tendon sheaths.
Suspected Osteomyelitis Septic Arthritis or Soft Tissue Infection Excluding Spine and Diabetic Foot PCAs. CT Area of Interest CT allows for the evaluation of various soft tissue compartments and may help differentiate cellulitis, myositis, tenosynovitis, abscess, and septic arthritis [11]. CT with intravenous (IV) contrast can assess soft tissue and the extent of infection, which can guide aspiration or surgical debridement. Contrast-enhanced CT can also improve Suspected Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis the detection of synovitis, inflammation, fistulas, abscesses, and vascular complications [4]. CT is also the most sensitive modality for detecting soft tissue gas. Although CT is not sensitive at detecting early bone marrow changes, it can show early periosteal reaction and bone erosions, adjacent soft tissue infection, or septic arthritis. MRI Area of Interest MRI allows for the evaluation of musculoskeletal soft tissue infections because of its high sensitivity to fluid and inflammation in bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues [2,6,12]. Because of its excellent spatial and contrast resolution, MRI is excellent at detecting and evaluating the extent of both superficial and deep soft tissue infections [13]. MRI can also exclude soft tissue infection, if edema or fluid signal representing inflammation, joint effusion, or abscess are not present [2,6]. Contrast-enhanced MRI further increases the diagnostic sensitivity for abscesses, fistulas, and vascular complications. Detection of inflammation of joints, bursa, tendons, and muscles is also improved with contrast-enhanced MRI. Compared to CT, soft tissue gas is not as well visualized on MRI. Although MRI often provides imaging for preoperative planning, MRI is not commonly used for image-guided aspiration or drainage. US Area of Interest US is useful for detecting fluid, including joint effusions, abscesses, and infected tendon sheaths.