
Significance of repeat magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing vertebral osteomyelitis
Author(s) -
Kamiya Naoko,
Hatakeyama Shuji,
Kanda Naoki,
Yonaha Sho,
Akine Dai,
Yamamoto Yu,
Matsumura Masami
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of general and family medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2189-7948
DOI - 10.1002/jgf2.226
Subject(s) - medicine , vertebral osteomyelitis , osteomyelitis , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , surgery
Vertebral osteomyelitis can result in serious complications if diagnosis is delayed. Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) is considered the most useful modality for the early diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. We examined three patients with vertebral osteomyelitis whose initial MRI (obtained <2 weeks after the onset of symptoms) did not reveal obvious findings of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. However, follow‐up MRI clearly demonstrated typical findings of the disease. This case series illustrates that a repeat MRI must be performed 2‐4 weeks after the onset of symptoms in patients presenting with clinical manifestations and microbiological findings suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis.