title: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Nontraumatic Musculoskeletal Emergencies.
abstract: Many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system involve nontraumatic causes. MR imaging is used in the diagnosis because of its high sensitivity and specificity compared with other modalities. Osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and stress fractures are pathologies of bone where early diagnosis and intervention usually lead to an improved outcome. Joint aspiration and culture is the standard for diagnosing septic arthritis. MR imaging can support the diagnosis and allows evaluation for adjacent abscess and osteomyelitis. Early in the disease process, necrotizing fasciitis may not be clinically suspected and imaging may provide the first indication of the presence of this potentially deadly infection.
authors.affiliation: Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 820 Harrison Ave, FGH Building 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA. Electronic address: Andrew.Kompel@bmc.org.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kompel
authors.affiliation: Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 820 Harrison Ave, FGH Building 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.affiliation: Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 820 Harrison Ave, FGH Building 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guermazi
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Compartment syndrome; Necrotizing fasciitis; Osteomyelitis; Osteonecrosis; Pathologic fracture; Rhabdomyolysis; Septic arthritis; Stress fracture