Osteomyelitis of the thoracic cage in patients with sickle cell disorder

ABSTRACT

Thoracic cage osteomyelitis is an extremely rare manifestation in its pure form in sickle cell disease [SCD]. However rib infarction may be a common occurrence in SCD leading to a vicious cycle of chest pain, hypoventilation atelactasis, hypoxia and acute chest syndrome. Two cases of osteomyelitis, one of ribs and the second of sternum in sickle cell disease patients are reported here. The clinical presentation laboratory and radiological abnormalities as well as the response to therapy and outcome is presented