Emphysematous osteomyelitis: a rare and aggressive disease

Abstract

Emphysematous osteomyelitis is an extremely rare entity consisting of the presence of intraosseous gas that can extend to the joints and adjacent soft tissues. It is an aggressive infectious process associated with high mortality, especially in patients with risk factors such as tumors or diabetes mellitus. Because early diagnosis and immediate treatment are crucial to prevent the potentially devastating consequences of this condition, imaging tests such as computed tomography play a fundamental role in its diagnosis and management. Therefore, radiologists must be aware that intraosseous gas is a rare but alarming sign that is pathognomonic of emphysematous osteomyelitis, especially in the axial skeleton.