Various imaging techniques may be employed in the investigation of suspected bone and joint infections. -ese include ultrasound, radiography, functional imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear scintigraphy, and crosssectional imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). -e cross-sectional modalities represent the imaging workhorse in routine practice. -e role of imaging also extends to include assessment of the anatomical extent of infection, potentially associated complications, and treatment response. -e imaging appearances of bone and joint infections are heterogeneous and depend on the duration of infection, an individual patient’s immune status, and virulence of culprit organisms. To add to the complexity of radiodiagnosis, one of the pitfalls of imaging musculoskeletal infection is the presence of other conditions that can share overlapping imaging features. -is includes osteoarthritis, vasculopathy, inflammatory, and even neoplastic processes. Different pathologies may also coexist, for example, diabetic neuropathy and osteomyelitis. -is pictorial review aims to highlight potential mimics of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis that are regularly encountered, with emphasis on specific imaging features that may aid the radiologist and clinician in distinguishing an infective from a noninfective aetiology.
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