Imaging of acute musculoskeletal infections in children and their differential diagnoses

Musculoskeletal complaints are a frequent cause of emergency department visits in pediatric patients. While many of these visits are due to acute trauma, infection is also common and can cause substantial morbidity. This article provides a review of acute pediatric musculoskeletal infections with an additional emphasis on important differential diagnoses to consider. The scope includes cellulitis, abscess, necrotizing soft tissue infections, pyomyositis, infectious tenosynovitis, septic bursitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. Important differential considerations for these musculoskeletal infections will also be briefly reviewed.