# Multifocal Emphysematous Osteomyelitis of the Spine and Pelvis

**Authors:** Diogo Carvalho, Luís Monteiro Cabral, Raquel Dias

PMC · DOI: 10.5334/jbsr.4237 · Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology · 2026-02-26

## TL;DR

This paper highlights that bubbly or irregular intraosseous gas on imaging is a key sign of emphysematous osteomyelitis, especially in immunocompromised patients.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes the importance of recognizing specific imaging patterns for urgent treatment of a rare bone infection.

## Key findings

- Intraosseous gas with a bubbly or irregular pattern is strongly associated with emphysematous osteomyelitis.
- Immunocompromised patients without trauma or surgery history are particularly at risk.
- Prompt antimicrobial treatment is crucial upon detection of these imaging features.

## Abstract

Teaching point: Detection of intraosseous gas with a bubbly or irregular pattern on imaging should raise a strong suspicion for emphysematous osteomyelitis and prompt urgent antimicrobial treatment, particularly in immunocompromised patients without a history of trauma or surgery.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Emphysematous Osteomyelitis (MESH:D010019), Hypodense lesions (MESH:C565408), kidney (MESH:D007674), infectious (MESH:D003141), HIV infection (MESH:D015658), septic (MESH:D001170), fever (MESH:D005334), renal and splenic septic emboli (MESH:D020766), death (MESH:D003643), pain (MESH:D010146), fractures (MESH:D050723), haematological disorders (MESH:D006402), back pain (MESH:D001416), alcohol abuse (MESH:D000437), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), Clostridioides perfringens bacteraemia (MESH:D003015), trauma (MESH:D014947), shock (MESH:D012769), dysphagia (MESH:D003680), bone infection (MESH:D001847), bone marrow oedema (MESH:D004487), oesophageal involvement (MESH:D000077277), neurological complications (MESH:D002493), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (MESH:D065646), malignancies (MESH:D009369), osteonecrosis (MESH:D010020), diabetes mellitus (MESH:D003920)
- **Species:** Clostridium perfringens (species) [taxon 1502], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12947822/full.md

## References

1 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12947822/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12947822