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Review
. 2024 Oct;53(10):2227-2246.
doi: 10.1007/s00256-024-04763-8. Epub 2024 Aug 16.

Imaging mimickers of MSK infection

M S Taljanovic  1   2 , I M Omar  3 , D M Melville  4 , C L Shultz  5 , A S Klauser  6 , J S Weaver  7
Affiliations
Review

Imaging mimickers of MSK infection

M S Taljanovic et al. Skeletal Radiol. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Along with clinical and laboratory findings, imaging has a significant role in the initial evaluation and treatment follow-up of a wide variety of infectious and non-infectious musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. The imaging findings of many non-infectious MSK processes, such as inflammatory, metabolic, and degenerative arthropathies, complications of diabetes mellitus, osseous and soft tissue injuries, osteonecrosis, tumors, and tumor-like lesions may be nonspecific and often overlap with those found in MSK infections. In this article, the authors discuss the imaging findings of both frequent and rare mimickers of MSK infections, including potential distinguishing characteristics.

Keywords: CT; Imaging; Infection; MRI; Mimicker; Musculoskeletal; Radiography; Ultrasound.

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