Advanced Imaging of the Diabetic Foot and Its Complications
Copyright © 1999 T. Learch, A. Gentili. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 16, 2004.

CT can demonstrate the extent of soft tissue involvement, and can be useful in operative planning. However for the evaluation of soft tissues MRI is believed to be superior to CT. CT is still superior to MR imaging for detection of sequestra, cortical destruction, periosteal new bone formation, and intraosseous gas.

46-year-old man with diabetes and Staph aureus sepsis. The initial radiograph demonstrated questionable soft tissue gas about the ankle. CT images of this area showed multiple small foci of soft tissue gas. He was taken immediately to surgery, where there was extensive myonecrosis and necrotizing fasciitis. (Click on the image to see larger version)

Advanced Imaging of the Diabetic Foot and Its Complications
Copyright © 1999 T. Learch, A. Gentili. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 29, 2006.