Diabetic foot CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anahita Deylamsalehi, M.D.[2]

Overview

It is recommended to perform CT scan only if MRI is contraindicated. CT scan is a sensitive modality for detecting abnormal bone appearance in patients with diabetic foot ulceration. Altered appearance of bones such as bone erosions, charcot joint, reduced joint space, osteopenia and osteophyte formation can be detected on CT scan.

The following are some of the key CT findings in patients with diabetic foot:^[1]^[2]
- Altered appearance of bones
  - Charcot joint
  - Decreased joint space
  - Osteopenia
  - Osteophyte formation
  - Bone erosions (In a study done on diabetic patients with foot ulcers it was the most common bone change that has been detected on CT scan)
CT scan is a sensitive modality for detecting abnormal bone appearance in patients with diabetic foot ulceration.^[1]
In contrast to x-rays, CT scan can be used for diagnosis of osteomyelitis.^[2]
CT scan is also an effective imaging modality to follow up patients after antibiotic treatment.^[3]
It is recommended to perform CT scan only if MRI is contraindicated.^[3]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Fathimaa, M. Rubina; Rekha, Arcot (2020). “CT Scan of the Foot in Patients with Chronic Non-Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcer”. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine. 09 (11): 335–342. doi:10.4236/crcm.2020.911047. ISSN 2325-7075.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Hochman, Mary G.; Cheung, Yvonne; Brophy, David P.; Parker, J. Anthony (2006). “Imaging of the Diabetic Foot”: 227–253. doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-075-1_12.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Giurato L, Meloni M, Izzo V, Uccioli L (2017). “Osteomyelitis in diabetic foot: A comprehensive overview”. World J Diabetes. 8 (4): 135–142. doi:10.4239/wjd.v8.i4.135. PMC 5394733. PMID 28465790.