Epithelialization of Chronic Osteomyelitic Cavities

Abstract

IN a previous report, three cases of chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis, with draining sinuses of over 50 years' duration, were described, in which the large intramedullary cavities were found to be partially or nearly completely lined by stratified squamous epithelium (1). This was the result of a downgrowth of the cutaneous epithelium along the draining sinuses. An additional case was reported by Milgram (2). Erdheim (3) showed that in an analogous manner epithelialization of small tuberculous cavities in the calvarium may take place. The following case is recorded because it is another instance of epithelialization of a chronic osteomyelitic cavity, in the manner described above. Whereas in the other four reported cases the osteomyelitis was present for 50 years or more, in this instance it was of 17 years' duration. Case Report P. H. (116,021), white male, aged 65 years, was admitted to the University of Chicago Clinics on Nov. 5, 1934, presenting an oval epithelioma about 2 cm. in diameter on the inner a...