Frontal bone osteomyelitis following electrical burn injury

Abstract

Osteomyelitis of the frontal bone is an uncommon clinical presentation that usually occurs as a complication of trauma or sinusitis. An electrical burn injury of the scalp region leading to osteomyelitis of the skull bone is an extremely rare clinical presentation. An 8-year-old boy reported nonhealing forehead wounds for the last 6 months due to accidental contact with high-voltage power line. Clinical and radiological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. He underwent sequestrectomy of necrosed bone followed by soft-tissue reconstruction of the defect with local flap to achieve good wound healing and satisfactory cosmetic outcome. High-tension electrical burns resulting in severe injuries to the scalp, calvarium, meninges, and brain are among the most serious complications of burns. A proper diagnosis and early and aggressive surgical intervention is of utmost importance for management of skull osteomyelitis.