Diagnostic Imaging of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases

Although our understanding of microorganisms has advanced significantly and antimicrobial therapy has become increasingly available, infection remains a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Imaging of infection and inflammation provides a classic example of radiology and nuclear medicine’s strengths as well as weaknesses in the discovery and diagnosis of disease. Fortunately, the weaknesses are subsiding as new studies and techniques point to better planning and precision in the use of single and combined imaging modalities.