López de Heredia L, Hauptfleisch J, Hughes R, Graham A, Meagher TM, et al.
Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Date of publication 2012 Apr 1;volume 18(2):146-8.
1. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2012 Spring;18(2):146-8. doi: 10.1310/sci1802-146.
Magnetic resonance imaging of pressure sores in spinal cord injured patients:
accuracy in predicting osteomyelitis.
López de Heredia L(1), Hauptfleisch J, Hughes R, Graham A, Meagher TM.
Author information:
(1)National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital , Aylesbury , UK.
OBJECTIVE: Identify key magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that have a
significant correlation with osteomyelitis of pressure ulcers in spinal injury
patients.
DESIGN: Retrospective review study.
PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients admitted to the National Spinal Injuries Centre with
spinal cord injury (SCI) and signs of pressure ulceration investigated with MRI.
METHODS: Analysis of MRI examinations and clinical records collected over a
4-year period. Images were independently assessed by 2 experienced radiologists
for osteomyelitis based on assigned predictive indicators including cortical bone
erosion, soft tissue edema, deep collections, heterotopic new bone, hip effusion,
and abnormal signal change of the marrow.
RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients underwent 41 MRI scans. The prevalence of
osteomyelitis was highly correlated with cortical bone erosion (r = 0.84) and
abnormal bone marrow changes on T1-weighted images (r = 0.82).
DOI: 10.1310/sci1802-146
PMCID: PMC3584769
PMID: 23459682
