Using a decision tool to evaluate for osteomyelitis in children.

ABSTRACT: Osteomyelitis is a common occurrence in children and typically has a prolonged treatment course involving multiple specialties. Historically, the long bones are most commonly affected and Staphylococcus aureus is the primary causative organism.This case shows the value of using the Kocher criteria and acute phase reactant C-reactive protein as diagnostic tools that can be used to advocate MRI to rule out this potentially devastating process.