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.

Infecciones osteoarticulares en niños / Osteoarticular infections in children

Las infecciones osteorticulares (IOA) en el niño son una causa importante de morbilidad y secuelas. Su pesquisa oportuna y el tratamiento eficiente pueden lograr excelentes resultados. La mejoría en las condiciones de salud de la población, y el cambio de los agentes etiológicos han variado la forma de presentación y tratamiento. La existencia de gérmenes como Kingella kingae y Staphilococcus aureus multiresistente, contribuyen a la variabilidad de presentación de las infecciones osteoarticulares.El manejo de estas patologías requiere de un conocimiento del cuadro clínico, de los métodos de diagnóstico y las herramientas terapéuticas. Para obtener buenos resultados es requisito básico el enfrentamiento de estos pacientes en un equipo multidisciplinario de especialistas.En este manuscrito revisaremos los aspectos fundamentales de las infecciones osteoarticulares, según el enfoque que aplicamos en nuestros pacientes.

Osteoarticular infections are a substantial cause of morbidity and sequelae in children. Early diagnosis and efficient treatment can achieve excellent results. The improvement in the health conditions of the population and the change in the etiological agents have produced changes in their presentation and their required treatment. The existence of germs like Kingella kingae and Staphilococcus aureus multiresistant contribute to the variability of presentation of osteoarticular infections.The appropriate management of these pathologies requires knowledge of the clinical picture, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic tools. To obtain good results, it is a basic requirement that these patients be confronted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.In this manuscript we will review the most fundamental aspects of osteoarticular infections according to the approach we apply to our patients

Subacute Osteomyelitis on Phalangeal Bone Resulting from Multiple Kirschner Pin Fixation: Case Report

PURPOSE: Percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation is common method for hand fracture. It is simple but has risk of ascending infection through the pin and bony injury by multiple drilling. Ascending infection through pin tract is mostly superficial and can be treated with antibiotics and aseptic dressing. This is a case review of subacute osteomyelitis on phalangeal bones after Kirschner wire fixation with literature review. METHODS: A 40-years-old man with distal phalangeal fracture on right second finger is presented. He went to a local clinic and had percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation under local anesthesia. He was transferred to our hospital for ulcerative wound on DIP joint at 4 weeks after operation. Radiography showed osteolytic change around medulla of middle and distal phalanges, leading to diagnosis of a subacute osteomyelitis. We treated it with amputation at the level of shaft of middle phalanx. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. We thought several possible reasons for osteomyelitis in our case. First, it could resulted from ascending infection through the wire. Second, it could be resulted from a bony burn by repeated drilling. And bony necrosis could be a consequence of arterial insufficiency caused by 2 pin insertion. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a precise pinning based on accurate anatomical understanding is required for a percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation. The fre-quency of drilling should be minimized. Careful observation and patient education for pin site care are essential.

Subacute Epiphyseal Osteomyelitis in a Child: A Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Primary subacute osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that continues for several weeks without any acute infectious manifestations such as fever, local pain and swelling. A diagnosis is often delayed because of the slow onset, the subtle radiological changes and the absence of infectious clinical and laboratory manifestations. Primary subacute osteomyelitis in 35% of primary osteomyelitis cases, almost developed in the metaphysis, but there is no report of subacute epiphyseal osteomyelitis in Korea. We report a case of primary subacute epiphyseal osteomyelitis in the distal femur which was treated conservatively with a satisfactory outcome.

A Clinical Study of the Subacute Osteomylitis in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Subacute osteomylitis is far less common than acute osteomyelitis, characterized by insidious onset of the symptoms of mild local pain or discomfort without any acute systemic illness. Radiographic findings are not infrequently confused with benign or malignant bone tumors. From Jan, 1983 to Dec. 1991, we experienced twelve patients with subacute osteomylitis of long bones. Our clinical observations were as follows. 1. There were 11 boys and one girl with an average age of 9.7 years(range, 30months-16years). 2. The involved sites were proximal in 1, distal radius in 3, midshaft of femur in 3, distal femur in 2, proximal tibia in 1, and distal tibia in 2 cases. 3. All patients had insidious onset of mild to moderate pain. ESR was increased in 9 cases(75%) with a mean value of 44 mm/hr, but leukocytosis was not found. 4. According to the Green and Edwards' classification, there were type 1 in 1, type 2 in 3, type 3 in 3, and type 6 in 5 cases. 5. Eleven patients had operative treatment. The remaining one patient was treated by antibiotic treatment. 6. Primary treatment was successful in 11 patients who were followed for and average 9.5 months. One patients was lost to follow-up.

Primary subacute Osteomyelitis in Children: A Retrospective Review / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In our review of 36 hematogenous osteomyelitis nine cases were subacute form. Distal tibia was the most commonly involved location(four of nine patients). According to the modified Robert's classification cross-physeal lesions were the most common type(four of nine patients). In most of the cases the clinical findings and laboratory data were not much helpful for current diagnosis. Four patients had radiographic findings similar to those of tumors such as Ewing' s sarcoma, osteoid osteoma or bone cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in the identification of early lesions. In three patients Staphylococcus aureus was isolated by bacterial culture of biopsy specimen. In the remaining six patients diagnosis was made by histological evaluation. All patients except one were treated by curettage and antibiotics. In the other patient the disease showed a tendency of spontaneous healing without operative intervention and antibiotics. Cross-physeal lesion seemed to be a typical finding of the subacute osteomyelitis.