Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

What is the preferred diagnostic method for osteomyelitis?

1. CT Scan

2. MRI

3. Ultrasound

4. X-ray

The correct answer is: MRI

The preferred diagnostic method for osteomyelitis is MRI because it offers superior sensitivity and specificity for detecting the presence of bone infection, especially in the early stages. MRI can visualize the bone marrow and soft tissues surrounding the bone, revealing changes associated with osteomyelitis that other imaging methods may miss. It is particularly effective in identifying areas of edema or inflammatory changes in the bone structure, which helps distinguish osteomyelitis from other conditions that can affect the bones. In contrast, other imaging modalities may not provide the same level of detail. For example, while CT scans can be helpful in assessing bone pathology, they are less sensitive to the changes in marrow and surrounding soft tissues compared to MRI. Ultrasound may offer some benefit in assessing soft tissue involvement or abscess formation but is limited in evaluating bone structure directly. X-rays are often the first-line imaging technique but typically show changes only after significant bone damage has occurred, making them less useful for early diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Hence, MRI stands out as the most effective tool for the early and accurate diagnosis of this condition.