Diagnostic flowcharts in osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis and prosthetic joint infection
Jutte, P.; Lazzeri, E.; Sconfienza, L.M.; Cassar-Pullicino, V.; Trampuz, A.; Petrosillo, N.; Signore, A.
Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Official Publication of the Italian Association of Nuclear Medicine and the International Association of Radiopharmacology and Section of the Society Of. 58(1): 2-19
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1824-4785 PMID: 24469568 Document Number: 671721
Infections of the bone, spine and prosthetic joints are serious and complex conditions to diagnose and to treat. Structured diagnostic workup may very well improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, thereby improving the outcome since treatment may very well be more successful and less harmful if timely management is started. Literature shows no uniform advise on diagnosis. The EANM organized a consensus meeting with representatives from the involved disciplines in order to develop common flowcharts for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis and prosthetic joint infections. In this report the proceedings of this consensus meeting, including the proposed flowcharts for diagnosis, are published.