Question

A 50-year-old man with long-standing diabetes develops a foot ulcer with cellulitis to the ankle and suspected osteomyelitis on probe-to-bone test. Best imaging to confirm osteomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

MRI of the foot

Answer

Plain radiographs only

Answer

CT with contrast

Answer

Bone scan only

Answer

No imaging; treat empirically for 6 weeks

Practice question

A 50-year-old man with long-standing diabetes develops a foot ulcer with cellulitis to the ankle and suspected osteomyelitis on probe-to-bone test. Best imaging to confirm osteomyelitis?