Role of Radiology in Managing Postoperative Surgical Site Infections: A Diagnostic and Interventional Perspective

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most common and serious postoperative complications, contributing to increased patient morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. Early and accurate diagnosis, combined with timely intervention, is essential to improve outcomes. Radiology plays a pivotal role in both diagnosing and managing SSIs through various imaging modalities and interventional procedures. This review highlights the comprehensive role of radiology in detecting and treating SSIs, focusing on the use of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, and cardiovascular specialties. Ultrasound is valuable for assessing superficial wounds and guiding fluid aspiration; CT offers high-resolution visualization of deep collections and surgical complications; MRI excels in evaluating soft tissue and bone infections, especially around prostheses or in complex regions like the pelvis or spine. Interventional radiology enables percutaneous drainage, abscess aspiration, and catheter placement, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgical re-intervention. Proper imaging interpretation helps distinguish normal postoperative findings from infection, aiding in accurate diagnosis and targeted management. Overall, radiology significantly enhances postoperative infection control, and its integration into multidisciplinary care is critical for improving surgical outcomes.