USEFULNESS OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE MUSCULOSKELETAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

A 30-month prospective study was conducted on 43 children who presente d with clinical findings suggestive of acute hematogenous musculoskele tal infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was found to be extrem ely sensitive (0.97) and specific (0.92) in helping to diagnose these infections, with only one false positive and one false negative study. Bone scans are more likely to yield false postive and negative examin ations. MRI is particularly useful in difficult cases in which there a re conflicting clinical data or infection involving the spine or pelvi s. After MRI demonstrates the location of the disease process, histolo gic and/or bacteriologic confirmation of the etiology is still mandato ry. .