Diabetic foot other imaging findings

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

A bone scan and a white blood cell scan are two imaging modalities that can be used to assist physicians to better diagnose the diabetic foot ulcerations. Both could be used when there is a high clinical suspicion for osteomyelitis, while plain X-rays are negative. A leukocyte or white blood cell scan has a higher specificity for ostemyelitis diagnosis and is accurate even in neuropathic patients, in contrast to the bone scan.

• A bone scan could be used when there is a high clinical suspicion for osteomyelitis, while plain X-rays are negative.^[1]
• A bone scan is not accurate in neuropathic patients since it might become falsely positive in the presence of hyperemia or charcot joint.

• A leukocyte or a white blood cell scan could be used when there is a high clinical suspicion for osteomyelitis, while plain X-rays are negative.^[1][2]
• In contrast to bone scan, it is reliable even in neuropathic patients.
• A leukocyte or a white blood cell scan has a higher specificity for ostemyelitis diagnosis compared to the bone scan.