Is there a role for imaging in the management of patients with diabetic foot?

Autor: Vartan Vartanians, Daniel I. Rosenthal, John M. Giurini, Adolf W. Karchmer
Rok vydání: 2009
Předmět:
Zdroj: Skeletal Radiology. 38:633-636
ISSN: 1432-2161
0364-2348
DOI: 10.1007/s00256-009-0663-4
Popis: Advanced imaging of the foot has improved our ability toevaluate the possibility of osteomyelitis. However, theability of imaging to detect the presence of osteomyelitisdoes not necessarily mean that it should be used on aregular basis. Indeed, our opinion is that it is of marginalvalue in most patients. This is because the value of adiagnostic modality depends not only on what one needs toknow but also on when one needs to know it and the levelof diagnostic certainty required. Such considerations havebecome increasingly important in the current climate ofconcern over healthcare costs and the appropriate use oftechnology.The infected, or potentially infected, diabetic foot can bea difficult management problem. Peripheral neuropathy candiminish symptoms and thus mask the severity of thedisease. Patients often present with visible evidence of softtissue infection—either ulcers or cellulitis. The presence ofosteomyelitis complicates treatment and may decrease theprobability of a successful outcome. Helpful clinicalfeatures that increase the probability of osteomyelitis arean ulcer with a cross-sectional area greater than 2 cm
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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