Purpose or Case Report: 1. Discuss the pathophysiology and review the imaging modalities used to identify pelvic osteomyelitis in children
2. Demonstrate the spectrum of imaging findings in children with pelvic osteomyelitis
3. Review the diagnostic challenges and how to differentiate pediatric pelvic osteomyelitis from imaging mimics
Methods & Materials: 1. Discuss the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentations, and potential complications (including chronic osteomyelitis and Brodie’s Abscess) of pelvic osteomyelitis
2. Discuss the utility and limitations of imaging modalities including radiographs, CT, MRI and PET-CT for diagnosis and follow up
3. Review an imaging-based approach for suspected pelvic osteomyelitis in the pediatric population
4. Demonstrate the spectrum of radiologic findings of pediatric pelvic osteomyelitis using pathologically proven cases
5. Demonstrate examples of imaging mimics (such as Ewing Sarcoma, Lymphoma/Leukemia, Osteoid Osteoma, Osteonecrosis, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Metastatic disease and Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO)) and how to differentiate them from pelvic osteomyelitis
6. Review potential future directions and summary
Results: After reviewing the exhibit, the reader will be able to confidently use an imaging-based approach for diagnosis of pelvic osteomyelitis, know the spectrum of imaging findings, and distinguish pelvic osteomyelitis from imaging mimics.
Conclusions: Pelvic osteomyelitis is a significant cause of morbidity in children and can often be challenging to diagnose in a timely manner. Reviewing the utility and limitations of different imaging modalities, the spectrum of imaging examples, and ways to differentiate from mimicking pathologies can improve the radiologist’s confidence and facilitate earlier detection of disease.