Abstract
Emphysematous osteomyelitis (EO) is a rare condition characterized by the appearance of gas locules within the bone on imaging, usually as a result of anaerobic bacterial infection. We present the case of a 46-year-old known intravenous (IV) drug user who was admitted to the emergency department with intractable pain in the right groin. He was febrile with elevated white cell count and C-reactive protein. He underwent an X-ray and CT of the pelvis which demonstrated intraosseous gas in the proximal right femur. A diagnosis of EO was made radiologically, allowing for prompt antibiotic treatment and a plan for surgical debridement. There are only a handful of published cases of EO in the literature, only one of which has described IV drug use as the underlying factor.
Highlights
Emphysematous osteomyelitis (EO) is a rare condition characterized by the appearance of gas locules within the bone on imaging, usually as a result of anaerobic bacterial infection
We present the case of a 46-yearold known intravenous (IV) drug user who was admitted to the emergency department with intractable pain in the right groin
Emphysematous osteomyelitis (EO) is a rare form of infection characterized by gas locules within the bone
Summary
Imroz Singh Sachdev 1 , Neeru Tomer 2 , Sarath Bethapudi 2 , Sarv Priya 3 , Swapndeep Atwal 2. 1. Radiology, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Durham, GBR 2. County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Darlington, GBR 3. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA
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