Subacute Osteomyelitis Research Articles

A rare diagnosis has no certainty, but still they occur: A case report

Pain and swelling are among the most frequently encountered complaints in an orthopedics outpatient department (OPD) relatively less common in a pediatric OPD. A high level of suspicion is required to diagnose bone diseases. Common conditions such as rickets, septic arthritis, and tuberculosis must be ruled out. Treatment such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids may mask an underlying serious condition in which if left untreated can cause significant morbidity and mortality to the person. Here, we discuss a case of a young infant 11 months of age who had symptoms suggestive of septic arthritis and was later found to have Brodie’s abscess which is a type of subacute osteomyelitis on further evaluation which is usually mistaken as a tumor. This age at presentation is rare.

Патогенез и морфогенез хронического асептического остеомиелита

Chronic nonbacterial (recurrent) osteomyelitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal system with unknown etiology described in 1972 by A. Gidion et al. as subacute or chronic symmetrical osteomyelitis. This article reviews literature on pathogenesis and morphology of the disease and studies balance violation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and its association with osteolysis. Morphological manifestations in bone biopsies are given. We describe necrosis and thinning of trabeculae in combination with sclerosis of intertrabecular spaces and pronounced lymphohistiocytic infiltration with a large number of osteoclasts. Due to the absence of specific signs, the necessity of clinical and morphological correlations and genetic research in differential diagnosis is emphasized. Keywords: chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis, chronic recurrent osteomyelitis, autoinflammatory disease

Brodie's Abscess of the Ankle Presenting as a Tumor: A Summary of Five Cases.

A Brodie's abscess is a form of subacute osteomyelitis that is often considered in the differential diagnosis of other benign and malignant bone lesions. The authors summarize the findings of five cases of Brodie's abscesses in the distal tibia initially thought to be tumors by the referring physicians. All five cases were presented to the referring physicians with a chief complaint of ankle pain. All patients complained of chronic ankle pain and swelling that was aggravated by activity without constitutional symptoms. On physical examination, all patients presented with point tenderness over the distal tibia/malleolar regions. Three out of the five cases had a full range of ankle motion; the other two had limited dorsiflexion secondary to pain. All inflammatory laboratory values were within normal limits or only slightly elevated. All initial radiographs of the cases described demonstrated a well-defined radiolucent lesion within the distal tibia. In all cases, patients were treated with curetting, with or without bone graft. Bacterial and fungal cultures were negative in all five patients and no long-term post-operative antibiotics were administered. In this report, we discuss the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of this relatively rare condition in the distal tibia. The distinct clinicopathologic features of the disease process are presented to distinguish Brodie's abscess from a bone tumor.

DIFFICULTY IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BRODIE’S ABSCESS OF PROXIMAL TIBIA

Brodie’s abscess, a subtype of subacute osteomyelitis, is very rare, accounting for 2.4% of subacute osteomyelitis. It is caused by a lower virulence organism, so it is not accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, and local symptoms appear insidiously. The disease when it is found through radiologic exams, is likely to be confused with bone tumors, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. The authors experienced a brodie abscess of the proximal tibia, which was difficult to diagnose due to the inconspicuous symptoms.

Effect of achieving bone sterilisation on bone architecture and bone marrow, in an experimental rabbit model of osteomyelitis caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales

Natural history and treatment of bone infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are poorly defined. We evaluated the effect of treatment on the progression of subacute osteomyelitis in a rabbit model. Two isolates were used: a KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and an Escherichia coli harbouring blaOXA-48 and blaCTX-M15 inserts, both susceptible to gentamicin, colistin, fosfomycin, and ceftazidime-avibactam. Osteomyelitis was induced in rabbits by tibial injection of 2×108 colony-forming units/mL. Antibiotics were started 14 d later, for 7 d, in 6 groups of 12 rabbits. Three days after treatment completion (D24), rabbits were euthanised and bones were cultured. Bone marrow and bone architecture macroscopic changes were evaluated through analysis of pictures by investigators unaware of the rabbit treatment group and microbiological outcome, using scales ranging from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe lesions) depending on modifications. Bone marrow modifications induced by local infection were similar between prematurely deceased animals and non-sterilised animals (P=0.14) but differed significantly from animals that achieved bone sterilisation after treatment (P=0.04). Conversely, when comparing bone deformity, rabbits who died early (n=13) had similar bone architecture as those achieving bone sterilisation (P=0.12), as opposed to those not sterilised after treatment (P=0.04). After a multivariate logistic regression, bone marrow scale ≤2 was associated with bone sterilisation (P < 0.001), and bone architecture scale ≤2 was associated with bone sterilisation (adjusted odds ratio=2.7; 95% confidence interval 1.14-6.37) and KPC infection (adjusted odds ratio=5.1; 95% confidence interval 2.17-12.13). Effective antibacterial treatment reduces bone architecture distortion and bone marrow changes. These variables may be used as proxy for bone sterilisation.

X-ray features and diagnostics of purulent-necrotic lesions of the jaws

X-ray data of 750 patients with odontogenic and non-odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws aged 18 to 65 years were studied. The results of orthopantomography, panoramic zonography of facial bones, telerentgenography of the skull, intraoral radiography, computed tomography of the maxillofacial region are analyzed.&#x0D; The radiological characteristics of odontogenic acute, subacute, chronic and primary chronic osteomyelitis, hematogenic and posttraumatic osteomyelitis, radiation, bisphosphonate and phosphorus necrosis of the jaws are presented, taking into account differential diagnosis.&#x0D; The radiological semiotics of osteomyelitis of the jaws is diverse, since the features of the manifestation of osteomyelitis depend on the etiology, stage of the course and form of the bone inflammatory process.&#x0D; Orthopantomography is a method of primary diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the jaws. The use of computed tomography contributes to the accurate identification of the structure of the affected area, the magnitude of the destruction of anatomical details of the jaws and the boundaries of the spread of the purulent-necrotic process.

Debatable problems of classification of modern hematogenous osteomyelitis in children

Basing on their own experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children with hematogenous osteomyelitis and their study of domestic and foreign sources, the authors came to the conclusion that in all classifications available, consensus is lacking on the origin, course, form, stage, phase, outcome, and consequences of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children. This realization prompted us to revise the classification of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children.&#x0D; The proposed new classification of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children was developed by amending the existing ones. It consists of 10 headings: etiology, origin, course, form, stages, localization, morphological form, complications, outcome, and consequences. Along the course, hematogenous osteomyelitis was divided into acute, subacute, and atypical forms. In addition to the allocation of subacute hematogenous osteomyelitis, a separate section gives a brief description of the features of its course and clinical manifestations. Hematogenous osteomyelitis of bones forming joints and hematogenous osteomyelitis of mixed bones (spine) were added to the Localization section, and apophyseal localization was added to osteomyelitis of tubular bones. In the Outcome section in the Recovery section, four subsections were highlighted.&#x0D; We submit this classification for discussion and await opinions and suggestions from pediatric surgeons on improving the classification of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children.

Transphyseal Hematogenous Osteomyelitis: An Epidemiological, Bacteriological, and Radiological Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Transphyseal hematogenous osteomyelitis (THO) is a serious condition that can affect the growing physis, yet it is insufficiently recognized in children. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and epidemiology of pediatric THO, and to discuss the underlying pathophysiology. All consecutive cases of acute and subacute osteomyelitis admitted to our institution over 17 years were retrospectively studied. Medical records were examined for patient characteristics, bacteriological etiology, and medical and surgical management. Magnetic resonance imaging was reviewed for all patients to identify those with transphyseal spread of infection. For positive cases, the surface area of the transphyseal lesion was estimated relative to the total physeal cross-sectional area. Fifty-four (25.7%) of the 210 patients admitted for acute or subacute osteomyelitis were diagnosed with THO. The study population's ages ranged from 1 month to 14 years old (median age 5.8 years, interquartile range 1-167 months). Fourteen (25.9%) patients were younger than 18 months old; the remaining 40 (74.1%) had a mean age of 8.5 years old. The most common sites of THO were the distal tibia (29.1%), the proximal tibia (16.4%), and the distal fibula (14.5%). Transphyseal lesions were due to acute infection in 41 cases and to subacute osteomyelitis in 14 cases. The two most frequently identified pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (49.1%) and Kingella kingae (20.0%). An average transphyseal lesion represented 8.9% of the total physeal surface, and lesions comprised more than 7% of the physeal cross-sectional area in 51% of cases. Our study revealed that pediatric THO was more frequent than commonly thought. Transphyseal lesions were frequently above this 7% cut-off, which is of paramount importance since subsequent growth is more likely to be disturbed when more than 7% of the physeal cross-sectional area is injured. THO also affected children older than 18 months, an age at which transphyseal arterial blood supply to the epiphysis is believed to have disconnected. This finding suggests another pathophysiological reason for the transphyseal diffusion of infection, a topic deserving further studies and greater understanding.

Osteoid Osteoma of the Proximal Phalanx of the Great Toe in a 13-Year-Old Female Patient.

Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign osteoblastic bone tumor typically involving the diaphysis or metaphysis in long tubular bones. OO in phalanges of the great toe has been rarely reported, and it is often challenging to differentiate with subacute osteomyelitis, bone abscess, or osteoblastoma. This case report describes an uncommon case of a 13-year-old female patient with subperiosteal OO in the proximal phalanx of the great toe. The atypical location of OO should be familiarized to include appropriate differential diagnosis and to ensure accurate diagnosis by radiologic evaluations. Surgical excision remains the benchmark for the treatment of OO with its advantages on direct visualization and histologic confirmation for the diagnosis.

Primary Subacute Osteomyelitis Affecting the Epiphysis in Children

Primary subacute osteomyelitis affecting the long bones in children is rare. Subacute osteomyelitis has obscure clinical findings, and an accurate diagnosis requires appropriate radiological examination.Herein.

Tumor-mimicking musculoskeletal infectious lesions: Experience of a single referral center

Introduction/Objectives. Bone and soft tissue infections might mimic bone and soft tissue tumors. Therefore, differential diagnosis is important to prevent errors in treatment. This report aims to present the data of patients with indistinct clinical and radiological findings mimicking benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, which were later diagnosed as inflammatory infections. Methods. A retrospective chart review of the clinical, microbiological, radiologic, and pathologic findings of patients presented with a presumed diagnosis of a possible malignant lesion was performed. Results. The study included 21 patients with a median age (IQR) of 37 (1 month ? 72 years) years, and 13 (61%) patients were men. In total, 16 (76%) patients were admitted to the hospital with complaints of pain. The diagnoses were hydatid cyst, tuberculous osteomyelitis, cat-scratch disease, chronic osteomyelitis, subacute osteomyelitis, and soft tissue abscess. All patients were treated depending on the diagnosis of the lesion. Conclusion. There are chances of misdiagnosis due to shared common characteristics of tumoral and infectious lesions which might be mildly increased inflammatory markers with deeply seated non-mobile soft tissue masses and aggressive periosteal reactions and/or bone destruction patterns. So, each pseudotumoral lesion due to possible infectious causes should be histopathologically examined and correlated with other clinical and laboratory data in order to achieve a final diagnosis

RADIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF OSTEOMYELITIS

Osteomyelitis remains a vexing illness and the outcome is often unsatisfactory despite major advances in surgery and antimicrobial therapy. Clinical experience is the guidebook for management as there is a paucity of controlled clinical trials and a lack of long term follow up in most published reports. The term "Osteomyelitis" taken implies inammation of the bone and its marrow regardless of whether it is due to pyogenic organisms, tuberculosis, Syphilis, a specic virus or the presence of a foreign body such as shrapnel. Osteomyelitis affects the metaphysic of long bones commonly out of which the bone ends in small children are most susceptible sites. Osteomyelitis in drug addicts may occur in unusual locations, such as clavicle and sternum. Axial involvement appears to be more prevalent than long bone involvement. Post-traumatic and postoperative osteomyelitis develops after treatment for compound fractures, prosthetic replacement and pin-track xation. Radiologically the acute and subacute osteomyelitis pose a diagnostic problem due to very little or absent radiological evidence. Chronic osteomyelitis is more a disease of chronic ischemia than of chronic sepsis

Pediatric Sciatic Neuropathy Secondary to Subacute Ischial Osteomyelitis: A Case Report

AbstractSciatic neuropathy (SN) is rarely encountered in the pediatric population. The causes of this mononeuropathy are either infectious, immune mediated, toxic, or infiltrative (tumoral). In this article, we presented the case of a 7.5-year-old male child who presented to the emergency department with a painful right lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis of the ischium, which extended toward the external hip rotators and infiltrated the tissues around the sciatic nerve. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics (flucloxacillin 50 mg/kg/d and gentamicin 10 mg/kg/d) rapidly improved the child's condition and relieved neurological symptoms within a few days. Traumatic and iatrogenic injuries are the most common causes for SN. To our knowledge, this presented case is the first to describe SN due to an infectious process following subacute osteomyelitis.

Subacute osteomyelitis of the tibial diaphysis associated with Brodie's abscess: A rare case report of a four-year-old child.

IntroductionSeptic osteomyelitis is a hematogenous bacterial bone infection. The acute presentation is the most common; the subacute one is less frequent. The aim of our case report is to put forward the features of this uncommon presentation and to propose a therapeutic management.Presentation of caseWe report a rare case of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess of the tibial diaphysis in a four-year-old child. The chief complaint was a pain in the left tibia evolving for five weeks. The radiological findings and the unusual location of this pathology suggested a malignant bone tumor. Thanks to imaging assessment and bone biopsy the diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess was made. Therefore, the child had antibiotic therapy and plaster immobilization to avoid pathological fracture. Pain relief and radiological improvement was obtained after 3 months of antibiotic treatment. At a two-year follow-up, the X-ray was normal.DiscussionWe report an uncommon case of subacute osteomyelitis which evolved to Brodie's abscess with diaphyseal location. The mainstream treatment is surgery combined with antibiotics. However, medical treatment alone can lead to recovery without sequelae.ConclusionBecause of the atypical location and presentation of subacute osteomyelitis, the other differential diagnoses, especially malignant bone tumors have to be eliminated. In some cases, treatment may be based on antibiotics therapy alone.

6. CONTRIBUTION OF COPY NUMBER VARIANTS TO SCHIZOPHRENIA IN EAST ASIAN POPULATIONS

Septic osteomyelitis is a hematogenous bacterial bone infection. The acute presentation is the most common; the subacute one is less frequent. The aim of our case report is to put forward the features of this uncommon presentation and to propose a therapeutic management.We report a rare case of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess of the tibial diaphysis in a four-year-old child. The chief complaint was a pain in the left tibia evolving for five weeks. The radiological findings and the unusual location of this pathology suggested a malignant bone tumor. Thanks to imaging assessment and bone biopsy the diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess was made. Therefore, the child had antibiotic therapy and plaster immobilization to avoid pathological fracture. Pain relief and radiological improvement was obtained after 3 months of antibiotic treatment. At a two-year follow-up, the X-ray was normal.We report an uncommon case of subacute osteomyelitis which evolved to Brodie's abscess with diaphyseal location. The mainstream treatment is surgery combined with antibiotics. However, medical treatment alone can lead to recovery without sequelae.Because of the atypical location and presentation of subacute osteomyelitis, the other differential diagnoses, especially malignant bone tumors have to be eliminated. In some cases, treatment may be based on antibiotics therapy alone.

An Actinomyces Long-Bone Osteomyelitis Case Report and Review

Abstract Historically, anaerobic bacteria as monomicrobial pathogens or components of polymicrobial infections have been found to play a minor role in osteomyelitis. Various Actinomyces species reside as constituents of the normal human microbial flora found in the oropharynx and in the most people may also be present as commensal microorganisms in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and, to a lesser degree, the upper respiratory tracts. Bone infections due to Actinomyces species are relatively uncommon and usually associated with concomitant cervicofacial disease. To date, only a sparse amount of cases of long bone osteomyelitis due to Actinomyces bacteria have been published in the medical literature. We report a case of monomicrobial subacute late-onset tibia bone osteomyelitis involving Actinomyces presenting 10 years after an open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure performed to stabilize a traumatic fracture and review actinomycotic osteomyelitis including the rare association of Actinomyces odontolyticus with long bone infections.

Whole-body MRI Imaging Is an Essential Tool in Diagnosing and Monitoring Patients With Sterile Osteomyelitis

From the first description in 1972 as "subacute and chronic recurrent osteomyelitis" to the currently recognized chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) or chronic nonbacterial osteitis (CNO), diagnosis and monitoring of patients with this disease has been and continues to be a challenge1,2 While the most common presenting symptom is focal bone pain, its waxing and waning nature tends to contribute to the diagnostic odyssey that many patients must endure.

Absceso de Brodie, una patología de difícil diagnóstico

Las infecciones osteoarticulares agudas pediátricas constituyen patologías poco frecuentes, siendo de suma importancia realizar un diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento adecuado para evitar las complicaciones agudas o a largo plazo. El absceso de Brodie (AB) es una forma de osteomielitis subaguda de baja incidencia y de difícil diagnóstico, por lo que es imprescindible la sospecha clínica.Objetivo: Presentar un caso de AB y describir las características etiológicas y clínicas de esta patología.Caso Clínico: Paciente 14 años, evaluado por dolor de muslo derecho de un mes de evolución, afebril y sin antecedente de trauma. Al examen físico no presentaba aumento de volumen, el rango de movimiento (ROM) de cadera derecha era doloroso y la sensibilidad estaba aumentada a la palpación superficial de banda iliotibial (BIT) derecha. Estudio radiológico sin alteraciones. Por persistir síntomas se solicitó ecografía de muslo que mostró irregularidad ósea cortical. Resonancia Magnética (RM) evidenció lesión en diáfisis de fémur derecho de probable origen tumoral o infeccioso. Parámetros inflamatorios sin alteraciones. Se realizó toma de biopsia y cultivos, aislando Staphylococcus aureus multisensible. Se procedió a aseo quirúrgico y terapia antibiótica endovenosa, evolucionando favorablemente.Conclusiones: La presentación clínica y laboratorio en AB pueden ser inespecíficas. El clínico no especialista debe tener un alto índice de sospecha de esta patología como posible diagnóstico diferencial en pacientes que persisten con dolor y presentan una alteración radiológica, incluso ante la ausencia de otros síntomas y parámetros inflamatorios normales. Es importante realizar una biopsia ósea para el diagnóstico diferencial de patologías tumorales.

Arthroscopic assisted evacuation of a rare Brodie’s abscess in the femoral head of an adolescent girl – A case report

Brodie’s abscess is a form of subacute osteomyelitis. It is a diagnostic problem because such patients typically have mild local symptoms, few or no constitutional symptoms, and near-normal laboratory values. Though metaphyseal lesions were common in the proximal tibia and proximal femur, these lesions rarely affect the femoral head and neck. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl presenting with a rare Brodie’s abscess involving the femoral head that was treated using an arthroscopically assisted curettage of the lesion combined with culture-directed antibiotics. This unusual location would have increased the likelihood of incomplete excision of the diseased tissue and would have led to recurrence. To avoid these risks, we opted for arthroscopic curettage under fluoroscopic guidance using a lateral approach. By this improvised method, there was minimal resection of bone and we found this technique of evacuation safe, uncomplicated and minimally invasive which resulted in early recovery. Keywords: Arthroscopic debridement, Bone infection, Brodie’s abscess, Head of Femur, Hip joint, Subacute osteomyelitis.

P098 FROM OLD BUMP TO BONE INFECTION: A CASE OF BRODIE’S ABSCESS IN A CROHN’S PATIENT

Abstract Introduction Brodie’s abscess is an uncommon variant of subacute osteomyelitis leading to a contained infectious focus within a bone. It classically occurs in young people with a history of trauma to the affected bone. We present a case of a Brodie’s abscess in a 52-year-old Crohn’s patient on dual immunosuppressive therapy. Case Description A 52 year old man with Crohn’s disease managed with adalimumab and methotrexate presented to an orthopedist with worsening left hip and thigh pain and fevers over the week prior. He reported a remote sports-related injury to the same region with mild pain intermittently over the subsequent years. MRI of the left pelvis showed an enhancing lesion of the anterior superior iliac spine with cortical erosion. He was admitted and started on broad spectrum antibiotics, and his immunosuppressive agents were held. CT-guided biopsy of the lesion returned as abscess, and culture of the lesion grew methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus. The abscess was debrided in the OR and he completed a 6-week course of culture-guided antibiotic therapy. Discussion To our knowledge this is the first reported case of Brodie’s abscess associated with Crohn’s disease and dual immunosuppressive therapy. Opportunistic pathogens are most often associated with anti-TNFα therapy, though there is also evidence other bacterial infections are more frequent in these patients, particularly salmonellosis, listeriosis, and pneumococcal disease. Patients on anti-TNFα therapy appear to be at highest risk for serious infections in the first six months after initiation, but it is unclear if there is a persistent or cumulative risk with long-term therapy. The underlying mechanism of immunosuppression in anti-TNFα therapy is thought to be multifactorial, impacting both innate and adaptive immunity. Data suggests increased risk of infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking methotrexate. Only observational data exists regarding infection risk in Crohn’s patients on methotrexate, but it is reasonable to infer that it may have played a role in our patient’s presentation. Bone trauma seems to be associated with the development of Brodie’s abscess, and our patient reported a long history of chronic left hip and thigh pain due to a remote sports-related injury to that region. The source of his infection was most likely transient bacteremia, which seeded this nidus in his anterior superior iliac spine. While causation cannot be determined, this interesting case serves as reminder to prescribers of dual immunosuppressive therapy to be cognizant of infectious complications outside of those commonly attributed.