ULTRASOUND OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INFECTIONS

Musculoskeletal infections are common in clinical practice. Ultrasound (US) is a simple harmless imaging modality providing high-resolution imaging of appendicular skeleton infections. In acute osteomyelitis US is not considered as a firstline diagnostic tool. It may be useful following radiographs for evaluation of juxtaarticular regions and in the followup to search for subperiostealabcess. Otherwise US can be considered a firstline imaging modality for soft tissues infection after radiographs in localizing the process within a joint (e.g. septic arthritis) muscles (e.g. pyomyositis) bursae or synovial sheath. US may also be used to guide needle aspiration of an abnormal fluid collection.This book reviews US findings in musculoskeletal infections and emphasizes the role of US in the management of these conditions.