Osteoporosis of the pelvic bones (acute bone atrophy of Sudeck)

Abstract

We have discussed acute bone atrophy of Sudeck involving the pelvic bones and have reported additional cases. That it is an osteoporosis or atrophy is evidenced by the x-ray findings and clinical picture. It should not be called periostitis or osteomyelitis pubis. It is a definite clinical entity, is self-limited, requires no surgical intervention and ultimately results in a clinical cure.∗∗Since the submission of this manuscript for publication five additional cases of osteitis pubis have been reported; two following a retropubic prostatectomy, two following a two-stage suprapubic prostatectomy and one following an abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum. (Abrams, M., Sedlezky, I. and Stearns, D. B. Osteitis pubis. New England J. Med., vol. 240, 1949.).