Cellulitis of the Knee in a 16-Month-Old Boy: A Case Report

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this case report is to describe the presentation of cellulitis in a 16-month-old boy to a chiropractic clinic. Clinical FeaturesThe patient presented with nontraumatic, sudden onset of nonpurulent erythema on the right knee. A plain film radiograph of the knee showed a 40-mm thickening of the anterior knee. A diagnosis of cellulitis was rendered based on the presentation of the rapidly spreading erythema and radiographically confirmed findings. Intervention and OutcomeThe patient was immediately referred to the local emergency room. The patient was hospitalized, treated with clindamycin and amoxicillin for 3 days, and then discharged. The patient’s pediatrician discontinued clindamycin treatment at the posthospitalization follow-up. Two weeks after treatment was discontinued, the patient was diagnosed with recurrent cellulitis. ConclusionThis case demonstrated that for this young patient with cellulitis of the knee, timely recognition and referral, together with patient or parent education and immediate treatment, were essential to a successful outcome.