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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27(03): 314-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764386
Review Article

Imaging of the Diabetic Foot

Ana Isabel Garcia-Diez
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Xavier Tomas Batlle
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Andrés Perissinotti
2   Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Jaime Isern-Kebschull
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Montserrat Del Amo
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Juan Carlos Soler
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Alvaro Bartolome
1   Radiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
,
Jenny Teresa Bencardino
3   Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Diabetic foot complications are increasingly prevalent in the world, leading to significant morbidity and driving up associated health care costs. Complex pathophysiology and suboptimal specificity of current imaging modalities have made diagnosis challenging, mainly in the evaluation of superimposed foot infection to underlying arthropathy or other marrow lesions. Recent advances in radiology and nuclear medicine have the potential to streamline the assessment of diabetic foot complications. But we must be aware of the specific strengths and weaknesses of each modality, and their applications. This review offers a comprehensive approach to the spectrum of diabetic foot complications and their imaging appearances in conventional and advanced imaging studies, including optimal technical considerations for each technique. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are highlighted, illustrating their complementary role to conventional MRI, in particular their potential impact in avoiding additional studies.

Keywords

diabetic foot - infection - Charcot's neuroarthropathy - bone diseases - imaging

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
25 May 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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