Osteomyelitic cavity as a form of chronic osteomyelitis termed by radiological morphology

Abstract

Introduction Osteomyelitic cavity is one of manifestations of chronic osteomyelitis (cOM) that requires continuous application of both non-operative and surgical interventions. The condition is often recurrent. The study of bone quality, techniques for identifying boundaries of pathological process should contribute to the development of advanced methods of treatment to avoid recurrence. Material and methods Radiomorphological assessment of the femur and tibia was performed for 48 patients with cOM characterized by osteomyelitic cavities using polypositional radiology and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and quantification of bone density produced at the cavity and throughout the bone. Results Review of MSCT findings showed involvement through the cortical bone thickness of osteomyelitic cavity, structural changes in the entire bone with sinuses, sequestrae and alterations in the soft tissues (n = 40). Cortical bone was entirely involved in the cavity, with sinus observed and half-length of the bone featured with normal structure and low density in five patients. COM was diagnosed with present fixation metal constructs (n = 2) and recurrence noted after cavity repair with osteoinductive material (n = 1). Conclusion The findings showed that osteomyelitic cavity in patients with cOM resulted in extensive disorders of bone structure and density, evident changes in cortical bone, multiple layers, defects, considerable density fluctuations in intramedullary canal, in particular.

Keywords

• chronic osteomyelitis
• osteomyelitic cavity
• long bone
• MSCT