Abstract
Introduction and Aims: This disease has an insidious onset and develops as a result of increased host resistance and decreased bacterial virulence. The aim of this paper is to describe the spectrum of primary subacute forms of haematogenous osteomyelitis and highlight the difficulties in diagnosis and the importance of histology.
Method: Twenty-five children aged two to 12 years were reviewed between 1990 and 2002. Symptoms and signs were mild. Complaints were present for two to eight weeks; laboratory tests were non-contributory. Bone scans were done in all patients. All patients had biopsy with curettage of cavitating lesions. Microscopy, culture and histology were done in all patients. Four patients had MRI scans.
Results: There were 28 osseous lesions in 24 children. The anatomical sites were: the tibia, 24 lesions, femur three and ulna one. One child had multifocal involvement involving both tibiae and the ulna. The lesions were classified using the system of Roberts et al. Two lesions were in the epiphysis, six in the metaphysis and 20 in the diaphysis. Radiologically, the lesions resembled several benign and malignant conditions such as tuberculosis and fungal infections, Ewing’s sarcoma, leukaemia, osteosarcoma, chondroblastoma and osteoid osteoma. Bone scan was positive in all cases. Histology of bone showed features of subacute osteomyelitis – inflammatory cells, plasma cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in eight patients.
All children were treated with Cloxacillin for six weeks. Follow-up ranged from six months to five years. All diaphyseal and epiphyseal lesions healed completely. Residual sclerosis was seen in metaphyseal lesions. No growth disturbance or articular changes were seen in this study.
Conclusion: Primary subacute haematogenous osteomyelitis is uncommon. Metaphyseal and epiphyseal forms are more commonly reported in the literature. The diaphyseal form was the predominant type in this study. Bone lesions mimic benign and malignant conditions. Biopsy is mandatory. The diagnosis is made on histology. Staphylococus aureus is the usual causative organism, but difficult to culture.
These abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary, George Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, The William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
At least one of the authors is receiving or has received material benefits or support from a commercial source.
