Infectious DiseasesTier 2Topic overview

Basic imaging

Framing

Basic imaging modalities each exploit a different physical principle (ionising radiation attenuation, ultrasound reflection, magnetic resonance, radiotracer uptake) - matching modality to clinical question (and weighing radiation dose, availability, and speed) is a core generalist skill, particularly relevant to infectious diseases practice for localising infection (abscess, endocarditis, discitis) and monitoring response
Contrast use (iodinated for CT, gadolinium for MRI) adds diagnostic information (vascularity, enhancement patterns distinguishing infection/abscess from tumour) but carries its own risks (contrast-induced nephropathy, allergic-type reactions) requiring renal function and allergy screening beforehand

See for first-line thoracic imaging
See and for cross-sectional imaging of suspected intracranial or intra-abdominal infection
See for superior soft tissue contrast (spinal infection, abscess characterisation)
See for point-of-care and cardiac (endocarditis) imaging
See for functional imaging of occult infection (e.g. PET for fever of unknown origin, prosthetic infection)
See for suspected osteomyelitis/septic arthritis

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