The radiographic diagnosis of osteomyelitis can be suspected early with deep soft tissue swelling, but the actual bone changes of osteomyelitis may be delayed as long as 10 to 14 days after onset or may be totally aborted by antibiotic therapy. Recognition of osteomyelitis by bone imaging is far more rapid than by conventional radiographic examination and can be used on admission to establish the diagnosis. Ten patients suspected of having early, acute osteomyelitis were studied by TC-99m Pyrophosphate bone imaging. Radiographs taken at the same time were all negative. Of these 9 patients showed positive bone images. The bone imaging provides a safe, accurate, noninvasive technique for the early diagnosis of osteomyelitis.