Acute osteomyelitis

ABSTRACT

Acute osteomyelitis requires careful clinical evaluation, a high index of suspicion as it is an uncommon but devastating disease that affects largely previously healthy children. Management of osteomyelitis is a formidable challenge as success of antibiotics in soft tissues has not been replicated in bony tissue due to peculiar anatomy and physiology of the bone. Illness, malnutrition and decreased immunity predispose children to develop acute osteomyelitis. Absence of phagocytic cells in the metaphysis may explain predilection in children. Recently the trend in treatment strategy includes a rapid transition from intravenous to oral antimicrobial therapy and a shortened overall course of therapy. Many new therapeutic options are on the horizon that will likely impact the management of this and other childhood bacterial infections. This review will focus on recent advances in the management of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children.