Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease of bone. It occurs because of
infection by pathogenic microorganisms. According to various authors, the disease may
present as alveolar osteitis if only the alveolar bone is involved. On the contrary it is
considered as osteomyelitis when the infection reaches the marrow cavity of the bone.
However the disease presents various clinical features, it is sometimes difficult to
diagnose this disease on the basis of clinical presentation alone. Further, delay in the
diagnosis leads to progression of the disease. This can be avoided with the help of
radiographic evaluation. Radiographically, the location or anatomical involvement of
the affected site may help to differentiate between alveolar osteitis and osteomyelitis.
Histolopathologically localized alveolar osteitis may present the same features as
alveolar osteomyelitis. This may be attributed to the fact that alveolar bone possesses
bone marrow too. Researchers also stressed on the early diagnosis and adequate
treatment for osteomyelitis failing which, acute osteomyelitis may progress to subacute
or chronic stage. Henceforth imaging modalities play a crucial role in the early
diagnosis of the osteomyelitis of jaws. Various radiographic and imaging modalities
which can prove to be beneficial in osteomyelitis of jaws are conventional radiography,
CT Scan (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and
Ultrasonography to name a few. Researchers even quote that Nuclear medicine
imaging is able to detect osteomyelitic changes 10 to 14 days in advance to their
appearance on plain radiographs.
Keywords: Alveolar osteitis, Conventional Radiographs, CT Scan, Early
diagnosis, Imaging Modalities, MRI, Nuclear Medicine imaging, Orthopentomography,
Osteomyelitis, Ultrasonography.
