Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2018; 22(04): 464-480
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667119
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging of Postoperative Infection at the Knee Joint

Mihra S. Taljanovic
1   Department of Medical Imaging, Banner University Medical Center, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
,
Lana H. Gimber
1   Department of Medical Imaging, Banner University Medical Center, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
,
Imran M. Omar
2   Department of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
,
Andrea S. Klauser
3   Section of Rheumatology and Sports Imaging, Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
,
Michael D. Miller
4   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Banner University Medical Center, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
,
Jason R. Wild
5   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Banner, University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson, Arizona
,
Tyson S. Chadaz
1   Department of Medical Imaging, Banner University Medical Center, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Postoperative infections of the knee are uncommon but may occur with joint arthroplasties, fracture fixation, or after arthroscopic procedures. The ultimate diagnosis is made by joint aspiration or tissue sampling. Joint aspiration and tissue sampling can be performed under imaging guidance or intraoperatively. Imaging is an important adjunct to clinical and laboratory findings and should start with radiographs. Cross-sectional imaging including magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), nuclear studies, and ultrasound (US) are frequently used if the diagnosis is in doubt and to evaluate the extent of disease. We discuss the current algorithm in the diagnosis of various postoperative infections of the knee joint. The article addresses the utility of radiography, MR imaging, CT, US, and the most commonly used nuclear studies in the diagnosis of various postoperative knee infections and the imaging appearances of these infections on each of these diagnostic modalities.