Primary subacute Osteomyelitis in Children: A Retrospective Review / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

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.