Septic arthritis in children: frequency of coexisting unsuspected osteomyelitis and implications on imaging work-up and management.

Objective: Osteomyelitis and septic arthritis clinically present at any age with overlapping signs and symptoms. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the demographic distribution of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in children and to explore optimal imaging guidelines for these patients.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective study of children up to 18 years old who were treated for osteomyelitis or septic arthritis between January 2011 and September 2013.

Metaphyseal osteomyelitis in children: how often does MRI-documented joint effusion or epiphyseal extension of edema indicate coexisting septic arthritis?

Background: Joint effusions identified by MRI may accompany osteomyelitis and determining whether the joint effusion is septic or reactive has important implications on patient care.

Objective: Determine the incidence of epiphyseal marrow edema, joint effusions, perisynovial edema and epiphyseal non-enhancement in the setting of pediatric metaphyseal osteomyelitis and whether this may be used to predict coexisting septic arthritis.

Materials And Methods: Following IRB approval, we retrospectively evaluated children who underwent MRI and orthopedic surgical consultation for suspected musculoskeletal infection between January 2011 and September 2013.

Imaging of cancer predisposition syndromes in children.

The term cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) encompasses a multitude of familial cancers in which a clear mode of inheritance can be established, although a specific gene defect has not been described in all cases. Advances in genetics and the development of new imaging techniques have led to better understanding and early detection of these syndromes and offer the potential for preclinical diagnosis of any associated tumors. As a result, imaging has become an essential component of the clinical approach to management of CPSs and the care of children suspected of having a CPS or with a confirmed diagnosis.