The radiologic spectrum of abnormalities of the foot in diabetic patients.

Radiologically visible lesions in the feet of patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus are common and varied. They include osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, osteolysis, juxta-articular defects of the cortical bone, ischemic bone necrosis, new bone formation, spontaneous fracture and subluxation, and neuropathic arthropathy. These manifestations result from diabetic angiopathy and neuropathy and usually are complicated by infection. In this review the author describes these protean radiologic features in light of their pathogenesis and discusses the diagnostic problems encountered.