MR Imaging of the Diabetic Foot

MR imaging can be quite useful in the evaluation of pathologic processes related to the diabetic foot. The diagnosis of soft tissue processes such as callus formation, ulceration, foreign body granuloma, cellulitis, abscess, and gangrene can be made with the assistance of MR imaging. Osseous deformities such as hammertoe, rocker-bottom foot, neuropathic osteoarthropathy, and osteomyelitis can be detected and defined with MR imaging. Finally, although there are some overlapping features of neuropathic osteoarthropathy and osteomyelitis, the differentiation between the two entities is possible in most instances with the aid of MR imaging.