MRI or bone scan for osteomyelitis

[chngsr]

After one has suspicion for osteomyelitis from H and P and x-ray do you move onto bone scan or MRI? I am getting conflicting information from different sources. Thanks everyone

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[RussianJoo]

I would say MRI, but I don't have a source. MRI will let you see if the inflammation is in the bone itself or in the soft tissue around the bone, a bone scan won't.

 

[krodUT]

Do a bone scan unless you suspect it in the foot or spine. This is according to UW and some Kaplan stuff I've read.

 

[RussianJoo]

a bone scan is more sensitive but an mri is more specific.

 

[medInUSA]

a bone scan is more sensitive but an mri is more specific.

No they both have equal sensitivity. According to MAster the boards step 3, by conrad fischer. You're right that MRI is more specific.

 

[medInUSA]

this topic has been extensively discussed in the following thread:


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=643433&highlight=osteomyelitis

harrison, the gold standard, doesnt indicate prefencence for one test over the other.

 

[RussianJoo]

ok