The Role of Serial Radiographs in Diagnosing Diabetic Foot Bone Osteomyelitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diagnosing diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis is sometimes a challenge for clinicians since it may occur without local or systemic signs of infection. Thus, the primary purpose of this article was to evaluate the role of progressive radiographic changes in diagnosing diabetic foot osteomyelitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of databases of our Institution was performed to identify all long-standing diabetic foot patients who underwent two radiographic examinations spaced no more than five weeks apart and a subsequent magnetic resonance (MR) examination from November 2015 to November 2020. A total of 46 patients (32 men, 14 women; mean age, 57.3 years) were identified. RESULTS: serial radiographs showed 89% sensitivity, 38% specificity, 80% diagnostic accuracy, 87% positive predictive value (PPV), 43% negative predictive value (NPV) to diagnose osteomyelitis (P value < 0,05). Bone destruction was the most reliable radiographic sign with 89% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 89% diagnostic accuracy, 97% PPV, 64% NPV (P value < 0,05). CONCLUSION: Progressive bony changes detected by serial radiographs are a useful tool to diagnose diabetic foot osteomyelitis.