MRI-monitoring for muscle flaps in osteitis cavities.

Abstract

Filling osteitis cavities with local muscle flaps has proved to be a useful method for treating this disease. However, there will often be some uncertainty about remaining voids and about the viability of the flap once it is inside the cavity. As shown by selected cases, MRI-monitoring is capable of reassuring us by showing us how the cavity has been filled with muscle and, by use of contrast-medium, proving the perfusion of the flap. Problems which might arise, for instance by incorporated metal, are also demonstrated. On the whole, we recommend the use of MRI-monitoring after applying muscle flaps into osteitis cavities, at least in problematic cases.