Cellulitis: superficial, nonnecrotizing infection involving skin and subcutaneous tissues (not deep fascia/muscles)
Infectious myositis: inflammation of skeletal muscle due to bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic agents
Pyomyositis: bacterial myositis from hematogenous spread, resulting in suppuration and abscess formation
Abscess: organized collection of pus from invasion by infectious organism; peripheral capsule due to macrophages, fibrin, and granulation tissue
Devitalized tissue: necrotic or ischemic soft tissue, often beneath or near ulcer margin
Phlegmon: poorly defined, mass-like inflammatory soft tissue (term not recommended; better to specify infection as cellulitis, myositis, or fasciitis, ± abscess)
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Alaia EF et al: MRI nomenclature for musculoskeletal infection. Skeletal Radiol. 50(12):2319-47, 2021
Kumar Y et al: Role of diffusion weighted imaging in musculoskeletal infections: current perspectives. Eur Radiol. 27(1):414-23, 2017
Rahmouni A et al: Differentiation of necrotizing infectious fasciitis from nonnecrotizing infectious fasciitis with MR imaging. Radiology. 262(2):732-3; author reply 733, 2012
Harish S et al: MR imaging of skeletal soft tissue infection: utility of diffusion-weighted imaging in detecting abscess formation. Skeletal Radiol. 40(3):285-94, 2011
Kim KT et al: Can necrotizing infectious fasciitis be differentiated from nonnecrotizing infectious fasciitis with MR imaging? Radiology. 259(3):816-24, 2011
Turecki MB et al: Imaging of musculoskeletal soft tissue infections. Skeletal Radiol. 39(10):957-71, 2010
Gaspari R et al: Use of ultrasound elastography for skin and subcutaneous abscesses. J Ultrasound Med. 28(7):855-60, 2009
Unal O et al: The diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in soft tissue abscesses. Eur J Radiol. 77(3):490-4, 2009
Yu JS et al: MR imaging of urgent inflammatory and infectious conditions affecting the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Emerg Radiol. 16(4):267-76, 2009
Johnston C et al: Imaging features of soft-tissue infections and other complications in drug users after direct subcutaneous injection ("skin popping"). AJR Am J Roentgenol. 182(5):1195-202, 2004
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Infection of soft tissues
Cellulitis: superficial, nonnecrotizing infection involving skin and subcutaneous tissues (not deep fascia/muscles)
Infectious myositis: inflammation of skeletal muscle due to bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic agents
Pyomyositis: bacterial myositis from hematogenous spread, resulting in suppuration and abscess formation
Abscess: organized collection of pus from invasion by infectious organism; peripheral capsule due to macrophages, fibrin, and granulation tissue
Devitalized tissue: necrotic or ischemic soft tissue, often beneath or near ulcer margin
Phlegmon: poorly defined, mass-like inflammatory soft tissue (term not recommended; better to specify infection as cellulitis, myositis, or fasciitis, ± abscess)
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Alaia EF et al: MRI nomenclature for musculoskeletal infection. Skeletal Radiol. 50(12):2319-47, 2021
Kumar Y et al: Role of diffusion weighted imaging in musculoskeletal infections: current perspectives. Eur Radiol. 27(1):414-23, 2017
Rahmouni A et al: Differentiation of necrotizing infectious fasciitis from nonnecrotizing infectious fasciitis with MR imaging. Radiology. 262(2):732-3; author reply 733, 2012
Harish S et al: MR imaging of skeletal soft tissue infection: utility of diffusion-weighted imaging in detecting abscess formation. Skeletal Radiol. 40(3):285-94, 2011
Kim KT et al: Can necrotizing infectious fasciitis be differentiated from nonnecrotizing infectious fasciitis with MR imaging? Radiology. 259(3):816-24, 2011
Turecki MB et al: Imaging of musculoskeletal soft tissue infections. Skeletal Radiol. 39(10):957-71, 2010
Gaspari R et al: Use of ultrasound elastography for skin and subcutaneous abscesses. J Ultrasound Med. 28(7):855-60, 2009
Unal O et al: The diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in soft tissue abscesses. Eur J Radiol. 77(3):490-4, 2009
Yu JS et al: MR imaging of urgent inflammatory and infectious conditions affecting the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Emerg Radiol. 16(4):267-76, 2009
Johnston C et al: Imaging features of soft-tissue infections and other complications in drug users after direct subcutaneous injection ("skin popping"). AJR Am J Roentgenol. 182(5):1195-202, 2004
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.