Der Radiologe
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For the diagnosis of acute and chronic osteomyelitis imaging methods have become essential. This paper reviews the potential of the different imaging modalities. When there is clinical suspicion of acute osteomyelitis plain films are still the mainstay of diagnosis. ⋯ Further imaging is regularly needed, not only because of its diagnostic value but also because radiographs do not demonstrate the extent of lesions correctly. The evaluation of disease extent in bone is a domain of MRI, while scintigraphic methods, like 111In leucocyte scintigraphy and MRI, are of equivalent diagnostic value. CT may have its role in disclosing a sequestrum when radiographs and MRI are equivocal.