Purpose or Case Report: Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a multifocal auto-inflammatory disease that has gained increased recognition in recent years. Because CRMO is a diagnosis of exclusion, clinical history and imaging findings are important in suggesting a diagnosis. While imaging features of CRMO have been described, other disease processes can have a similar appearance to CRMO. We review some diseases that can mimic the radiographic appearance of CRMO and discuss features that can suggest alternative diagnoses.
Methods & Materials: Briefly describe the normal imaging findings of CRMO.
Briefly describe our institution’s whole body MRI protocol for patients with CRMO.
Review case examples of typical CRMO as well as mimics of CRMO including leukemia, lymphoma, stress fractures and stress edema.
Results: As a referral center for CRMO, we review multiple cases of suspected CRMO to identify typical features of CRMO as well as findings that are atypical of CRMO and suggest other etiologies.
Conclusions: CRMO can be a difficult diagnosis due to the non-specific clinical history and imaging findings. While a high index of suspicion is needed to make a correct diagnosis, it is also important to be aware of other etiologies that can have similar radiographic appearance to CRMO. By understanding the radiographic features that are suggestive of CRMO as well as the findings that are atypical of CRMO, radiologists can play an important role in accurate diagnosis and treatment.