Pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis: an analysis of literature-reported 128 cases.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal osteomyelitis (CO) poses a formidable challenge in treatment due to the distinct anatomical structure and functional properties of the calcaneus. The present study endeavors to furnish a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies, and therapeutic outcomes pertaining to pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis (PCO) by conducting a meticulous synthesis and analysis of cases reported in the literature. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify English-language studies analyzing PCO between 2000 and 2021. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment scale. Effective data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 42 studies, encompassing 128 patients, fulfilled the established inclusion criteria. The gender distribution revealed a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 (81 boys and 40 girls). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 8 years, while the median duration of symptoms was 0.6 month. Trauma emerged as the primary etiology (41 cases, 54%), and limited activity was the most prevalent symptom (68 cases). The positive rate for pathogen culture was 75.4% (49/65), with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly isolated pathogen (28 cases, 57.1%). Surgical intervention was performed in 51% (64/126) of the patients, with debridement serving as the primary surgical strategy. The rate of infection recurrence was 6.8% (8/118), and the risk of below-knee amputation was 0.8% (1/124). CONCLUSIONS: PCO occurred more frequently in male patients, with trauma being the primary underlying cause and Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent bacterial pathogen isolated. Over half of the patients underwent surgical intervention. Nonetheless, it is imperative that treatment strategies undergo further refinement, as approximately 7% of patients experienced infection recurrence.

Extensive eggshell-like debridement technique plus antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate for one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Management of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis is challenging. At present, there is still no widely accepted, simple, and effective surgical method to eradicate the infection and prevent osteomyelitis recurrence. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with a shape-preserving debridement technique combined with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2018, 33 patients (33 limbs) with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis were treated with a novel debridement technique, named "eggshell-like debridement", plus antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulphate. The infection remission rate, recurrence rate, and amputation rate were analyzed. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score was used to assess postoperative hindfoot function. RESULTS: 26 patients (81.8%) achieved infection remission without recurrence. In the patients with osteomyelitis remission, pain, limitation of movement, sinus tracts, and typical redness and swelling were generally eliminated. Most of the patients could tolerate full weight-bearing without pain. The average AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 88 points (range, 67-100 points), implying the foot function was mostly restored. 6 patients (18.2%) had osteomyelitis recurrence but no amputation was required to elimilate the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Eggshell-like debridement combined with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate is an effective method for one-stage management of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. With the application of this technique, secondary autogenous bone or muscle flap grafts are unnecessary. The surgical procedure can be simplified whlie the hindfoot function is well preserved.

Tubercular involvement of the lateral malleolus and adjacent calcaneus: presentation of a rare case and review of the literature.

Osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB), despite being on the wane in the developed world, stays a problem of significance in the developing world. The issue is compounded by unusual presentations, inadequate diagnostic skills and limited understanding of its management. For foot infections, despite an increased awareness, many patients may be misdiagnosed, with associated treatment delays. A 19-year-old man presented with pain and swelling on lateral aspect of right ankle for 2 months. The patient had an undermined discharging sinus with surrounding induration and the skin adherent to the underlying bone. Patient was diagnosed as a case of ipsilateral TB lateral malleolus and calcaneus, managed with antitubercular drugs with complete resolution at 3 years of follow up. Foot and ankle TB can have atypical presentations causing delay in diagnosis. Contiguous spread of infection occurs through the synovium or the joint; however, extra-articular spread along the tendon sheaths or other soft tissues is possible, which is highlighted by the present case.

Inflammatory markers limitations in the diagnosis of pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis.

Calcaneal osteomyelitis is an uncommon, but clinically important emergent condition in the differential of the limping child. Early recognition is paramount to prevent complications from delayed diagnosis like formation of periosteal abscesses or growth plate injury. The diagnosis of pediatric osteoarticular infection relies on a combination of clinical exam, imaging and inflammatory markers. Erythrocyte sedation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have reported sensitivities for osteomyelitis of 94% and 95%, respectively. However, clinicians should be aware that certain clinical factors can decrease the reliability of inflammatory markers in this pediatric condition. Location of infection in small bones like the calcaneus can lead to significantly lower sensitivities than in long bones. Pretreatment with antibiotics prior presentation can also decrease the reliability of ESR and CRP. In this case, we highlight two unique clinical factors that diminish the sensitivity of commonly used inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of pediatric osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis of the Calcaneus With Pathologic Fracture.

Pathologic fractures of the calcaneus secondary to osteomyelitis (OM) have rarely been reported in the literature. This case series describes 5 patients who were treated in our institution for chronic OM of the calcaneus and subsequently suffered a fracture of the involved calcaneus in the absence of trauma. All 5 patients had a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and were treated with a range of surgical treatments including open reduction and internal fixation, external fixation, and excision of the fracture fragment. Three (60%) of the patients required a below-the-knee amputation of the ipsilateral limb, 1 (20%) expired, and 1 (20%) experienced healing of the fracture and the associated heel wound. Pathologic fracture of the calcaneus secondary to OM is a recognized entity, although case descriptions have rarely been reported for this challenging condition.

Infection of recurrent calcaneal ulcer caused by a biofilm-producer Myroides odoratimimus strain.

We report a case of recurrent post-traumatic ulcer infection due to Myroides odoratimimus in an immunocompromised male. We have also reviewed the medical literature on isolated M. odoratimimus infections. The strain, isolated from ulcer discharge, was multidrug-resistant and treatment with meropenem, based on susceptibility testing, led to resolution of infection. The strain was also able to form a relevant amount of biofilm over time, thus suggesting a possible role of sessile communities in the chronicization of infection. To our knowledge, this is the first description of recurrent ulcer infection caused by a biofilm-producer M. odoratimimus strain. This case reminds us of the need to consider uncommon pathogens as etiology of skin and soft tissue infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Further, since the treatment of infections due to M. odoratimimus is often difficult both due to multidrug resistance and scarce clinical experience, antibiotic therapy should be adapted to in vitro susceptibility testing.

Mycobacterium abscessus Osteomyelitis of the Calcaneus Presenting as Tumor-Mimicking Lesions: A Case Report.

CASE: We present the case of a 51-year-old immunocompetent man with refractory heel pain who initially had been treated for plantar fasciitis. However, the pain was proven to be caused by a Mycobacterium abscessus infection of the calcaneus. The process of diagnosis and treatment is described. CONCLUSION: Although rare, chronic heel pain can be caused by an atypical mycobacterial infection of the calcaneus. Because of its indolent clinical course, misdiagnosis is not uncommon with calcaneal osteomyelitis. Physicians should note that this rare infection should be considered in patients with refractory heel pain.

Hematogenous Calcaneal Osteomyelitis in Children.

Osteomyelitis in children commonly affects long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus. There have been relatively few documented studies of osteomyelitis at unusual locations, such as the calcaneus. The objective of this study is to systematically review information on the diagnostic and treatment methods of calcaneal osteomyelitis as well as associated complications. Methods included research database searches using primarily PubMed and EMBASE databases. Results of the review show no clear approach to diagnosis and treatment of calcaneal osteomyelitis in children. Clinical presentation of refusal to bear weight was the most common clinical symptom. Magnetic resonance imaging was 100% diagnostic in studies that used this modality, compared with X-rays, which were 14%-71.4% diagnostic. Blood cultures were diagnostic in 27% to 55% of cases, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 79% to 97% of cases. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cultured organism. Treatment involved either antibiotics alone or in combination with surgical debridement/evacuation. Penicillin, penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol were the most commonly used antibiotics, with duration varying from 5 days to 10 weeks. The most common complication was recurrent osteomyelitis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: III.

Treatment of a High-Risk Diabetic Patient with Peripheral Vascular Disease and Osteomyelitis.

We report a case of calcaneal osteomyelitis that was surgically resected from a patient with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. A 91-year-old male with history of type 2 diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, balloon angioplasty, and recent (2 months ago) stent of the superficial femoral artery presented to the emergency department with a left heel wound infection probed to bone. The patient reported having been on intravenous Zosyn for several months via an outside infectious disease provider for clinical suspicion of osteomyelitis, but noted no improvement. This report includes information regarding the clinical examination and imaging findings, which were used to assess this high-risk patient. Our patient underwent a partial calcanectomy and completed a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotics. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate limb preservation in a high-risk patient with compromised vascular supply who underwent a partial calcanectomy for treatment of calcaneal osteomyelitis. The patient underwent surgical resection of the calcaneus without complications and healed unremarkably with the ability to ambulate while wearing an ankle foot orthosis with a custom shoe. This report was authorized for publication as an educational report to contribute to generalizable knowledge and does not include any patient health information.

Infectious Spondylodiscitis, Epidural Phlegmon, and Psoas Abscess Complicating Diabetic Foot Infection: A Case Report.

Few published case reports have cited vertebral osteomyelitis as a sequela of a diabetic foot infection. The purpose of the present report is to increase awareness of a potentially severe complication of diabetic foot ulceration: vertebral osteomyelitis and associated pathologic features. We present the case of a 63-year-old male with right calcaneal osteomyelitis who developed acute onset lower back pain with concomitant fever and chills. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed L4-L5 vertebral osteomyelitis, a T9-L1 epidural abscess, and a right psoas muscle abscess secondary to hematogenous seeding from the calcaneus. The patient underwent right partial calcanectomy, spinal and right psoas abscess incision and drainage, and direct lumbar interbody fusion of L4-L5 with a right iliac crest allograft. All bone, blood, and abscess cultures were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. After the surgery, the patient's pain resolved in his back and hip and he regained full right lower extremity function. The 1-year follow-up examination revealed that the patient had vertebral arthritis but was able to perform his activities of daily living with a walker and cane. It is important to recognize the potential complications of diabetic foot ulcerations and be aware of the identifying symptoms and treatment options for this condition to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.

Successful salvage of complicated calcaneal blastomycosis in disseminated disease with staged surgical reconstruction and local-systemic antifungal therapy.

Disseminated blastomycosis can be a devastating disease, affecting multiple organ systems, including the musculoskeletal system. Osteomyelitis from disseminated disease can be difficult to eradicate but is particularly important to successfully manage in the load-bearing bones of the lower extremity. We present a staged protocol for salvage of blastomycotic calcaneal osteomyelitis in the presence of disseminated disease.

Trichophyton rubrum osteomyelitis after calcaneus external fixation pin stabilization of a pilon fracture.

Fungal organisms are an uncommon cause of osteomyelitis, and no dermatophyte osteomyelitis infections have been reported in published studies. We present the case of Trichophyton rubrum osteomyelitis of the calcaneus. Our patient initially presented with a pilon fracture requiring temporary external fixation while awaiting definitive fixation. From our review of the published data, the present case is the first of this type of fungal osteomyelitis to be reported. The patient was evaluated for a left neck mass during his hospitalization that was later found to be consistent with salivary duct carcinoma of the tail of the parotid gland. A left neck dissection and superficial excision of the parotid gland was performed after fixation of his pilon fracture. Subsequently, he developed an increasing lucency in the calcaneus and symptoms of pain and erythema months after the calcaneus pin had been removed. The osteomyelitis was treated with surgical debridement and 3 months of itraconazole once cultures had definitively grown T. rubrum.

De-epithelialized fasciocutaneous turnover flap for recurrent calcaneal wound with osteomyelitis.

Recurrent ulcerations of the foot and ankle almost always present a challenge to lower extremity surgeons. Recalcitrant heel ulcerations with osteomyelitis are especially difficult to treat because of the lack of soft tissue coverage. The turnover flap is a simple, fast, and effective treatment method for lower extremity wounds. It is a de-epithelialized fasciocutaneous flap harvested from the adjacent area of the wound. We believe it is an underused technique for advanced wound closure in the lower extremity. It offers several advantages compared with traditional, more difficult to perform, flaps. We have seen an excellent result 18 months after using the turnover flap in a patient with recurrent posterior heel ulceration with calcaneal osteomyelitis.

Calcanectomy: avoiding major amputation in the presence of calcaneal osteomyelitis-A case series.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal osteomyelitis is a surgical diagnosis that may be treated by local, resection or major amputation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of calcanectomy for treating calcaneal osteomyelitis. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of patients receiving calcanectomy between 1st April 2005 and 1st October 2011 for calcaneal osteomyelitis. We reviewed these cases to determine healing, rate, microbiological analysis, length of stay, limb salvage rate and survival rate. RESULTS: There were 10 patients included in this review. There were 7 with diabetes and 3 without. Mean age of group with diabetes was 64 years, of this group 5/7 healed at a mean of 64 days. Mean length of stay for this group was 49.3 ± 39.4 days. 2 patients required a transtibial amputation. Mean age of group without diabetes was 77 years, healing at a mean of 19 days. Mean length of stay for this group was 14 ± 16.8 days and all survived over 3 years. Microbiological analysis of suspected osteomyelitic bone typically isolated >4 organisms. CONCLUSIONS: Calcanectomy is a useful procedure for limb salvage. It may reduce morbidity rates for people with calcaneal osteomyelitis, those with diabetes can expect prolonged wound healing and longer length of stay.

Successful salvage therapy with Daptomycin for osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a renal transplant recipient with Fabry-Anderson disease.

Daptomycin is licensed in adults for the management of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant infections, including bone and skin complicated infections. We describe for the first time its use in a renal transplant recipient for Fabry-Anderson Disease with right heel osteomyelitis. The patient was unresponsive to first-line Teicoplanin and second-line Tigecycline, whereas he was successfully treated with third-line Daptomycin monotherapy at 4 mg/Kg/qd for 4 weeks. Local debridement was performed in advance of each line of treatment.

Calcaneal osteomyelitis due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans: a case report.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans (A. xylosoxidans) has been described as an opportunistic pathogen causing infection. The case we describe is that of an elderly man who had osteomyelitis of calcaneal bone caused by A. xylosoxidans. As far as we are aware there are only 5 cases of osteomyelitis with A. xylosoxidans in the literature. Impaired defensive mechanism of the foot in direct contact with this waterborne bacterium can cause this disease. Because of the high level of antibiotic resistance of this bacterium, clinically more attention should be paid to patients who have impaired defensive mechanisms in their extremities, for example free flaps.

Fungal osteomyelitis of calcaneus due to Candida albicans: a case report.

Osteomyelitis can be a challenging entity to treat. Because of the emergence of risk factors, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, intravenous drug abuse, immunocompromised hosts, and other factors, opportunistic pathogens have increased in prevalence in bone infections. A review of the published data revealed few reported cases of fungal osteomyelitis localized to the foot. In the present report, we describe a rare case of fungal osteomyelitis localized to the calcaneus in an elderly female patient who was successfully treated with surgical debridement and a 6-week course of oral fluconazole.

Tuberculosis of the foot and ankle in children.

PURPOSE: To report manifestations and management of tuberculosis of the foot and ankle in 21 children. METHODS: Records of 12 girls and 9 boys aged 3 to 14 (mean, 7) years with tuberculosis of the foot and ankle were reviewed. The mean delay in presentation was 4.7 (range, 0.5-14) months. All the patients had local swelling, tenderness, and antalgic gait; 16 were limping; 5 had an antecedent trauma; 11 had an abscess; and 6 had a discharging sinus. The diagnosis was based on a smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (n=2), histopathology (n=15), or clinicoradiological findings (n=4). Nine patients had osteoarticular tuberculosis in other parts of the body. None had evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Lesions were classified into synovial (articular) and osseous. All 3 synovial lesions occurred in the ankle, 2 of which were at an advanced stage. Osseous lesions occurred in the calcaneus (n=5), metatarsal (n=5), talus (n=3), cuboid (n=3), medial cuneiform (n=1), and phalanx (n=1), and were sub-classified into stages 1 (n=3), 2 (n=5), and 3 (n=10) according to disease progression. All the patients were treated conservatively with splintage and chemotherapy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 21 (range, 7-51) months. All the 3 patients with stage 1 osseous lesions showed healing within 6 weeks and had complete recovery of function. Four of the 5 patients with stage 2 lesions also showed complete recovery of function and reformation of bony trabeculations; radiological incorporation of sequestrum was obvious by 6 months in most patients. In patients with stage 3 lesions, healing was delayed and there was residual alteration in bony architecture and joint changes. Sclerotic changes and joint involvement also increased the likelihood of poor outcomes. However, none of our patients had any residual tenderness or foot deformity at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Outcome after non-operative treatment is good, provided the lesions are treated early.