Abstract

Purpose: It is necessary to assess both the invasive extent of osteomyelitis and tissue perfusion for critical limb ischemia. This study is on investigation about the usefulness of MR Imaging to the decision making of amputation level by comparing MR findings and the histopathological features, through a case of bunion's ulcer treated with minor amputation of great toe. Materials and Methods: We compared MR findings to the histopathological features on longitudinal sections through a case of bunion's ulcer treated with minor amputation of great toe. Results: There was close correspondence in acute osteomyelitis between the extent of abnormality shown with the MR imaging on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and pathological study. MR imaging on STIR (short T1 inversion recovery) evaluated whole osteomyelitis more clearly. Conclusion: The correspondence of MR imaging and histopathological features indicates MR imaging on STIR is a useful tool of the assessment of extent of osteomyelitis in the decision making of amputation level.