NeuroradiologyOsteomyelitis
infection of bone and bone marrow. In the skull, the principal route of contamination is from the
paranasal sinuses; in the
spine the spread is most likely haematogenous. Other possibilities are the direct implantation of infectious material during
trauma or surgery. The process is most frequently acute but it may become chronic.
When the infection spreads from paranasal sinuses, intracranial epidural or subdural empyemas, venous thrombosis, and cerebritis and intracerebral abscesses may develop.
Radiologically associated sinusitis is found in the skull and sometimes poorly defined areas of osteolysis, particularly in the frontal bone. CT better shows the contiguity with sinonasal infection and MR shows venous thrombosis, empyemas and cerebritis. In the spine osteomyelitis is almost always associated with discitis. Also, see osteomyelitis.
GS