COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF PURULEN T SACROILIITIS IN CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE PELVIS

The object of the investigation was to study the possibilities of CT d iagnosis of purulent sacroiliitis and evaluate the effect of its resul ts on the choice of the volume of the surgical intervention and the op erative tactics. The pelvis was examined in 15 patients with chronic h ematogenic osteomyelitis of the pelvic bones; clinical signs of involv ement of the sacroiliac articulation were encountered in 11 of them. T here were 5 men and 6 women whose ages ranged from 18 to 62 years. The results of examination of the sacroiliac articulation were appraised in its;upper, middle, and lower levels. The computed-tomographic signs of purulent sacroiliitis are shown. It was established that computed tomography is an effective modern method of spot-film examination of t he sacroiliac articulations for which the patient does not have to be specially prepared. It yields objective information on the condition o f the pelvic bones, including the sacroiliac articulation. The method makes it possible to determine the indications for the operation, choo se the best operative approach in each specific case, and to predict b eforehand the volume of the operative intervention.