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'''Osteomyelitis''' is an [[infection]] of [[bone]] or bone marrow, usually caused by [[pyogenic]] [[bacterium|bacteria]] or mycobacteria. It can be usefully subclassifed on the basis of the causative organism, the route, duration and anatomic location of the infection.
'''Osteomyelitis''' is an [[infection]] of [[bone]] or bone marrow, usually caused by [[pyogenic]] [[bacterium|bacteria]] or mycobacteria. It can be usefully subclassifed on the basis of the causative organism, the route, duration and anatomic location of the infection.


==Etiology==
== Etiology ==


* Newborns (younger than 4 mo): S aureus, Enterobacter species, and group A and B Streptococcus species
{| class="wikitable"
* Children (aged 4 mo to 4 y): S aureus, group A Streptococcus species, Haemophilus influenzae, and Enterobacter species
|-
* Children, adolescents (aged 4 y to adult): S aureus (80%), group A Streptococcus species, H influenzae, and Enterobacter species
| '''Age group'''
* Adult: S aureus and occasionally Enterobacter or Streptococcus species
| '''Most common organisms'''
|-
| Newborns (younger than 4 mo)
| ''[[Staphylococcus aureus|S. aureus]]'', ''[[Enterobacter]]'' species, and [[Group A streptococcal infection|group A]] and [[Group B streptococcal infection|B]] ''Streptococcus'' species
|-
| Children (aged 4 mo to 4 y)
| ''[[Staphylococcus aureus|S. aureus]]'', [[Group A streptococcal infection|group A]] ''Streptococcus'' species, ''[[Haemophilus influenzae]]'', and ''[[Enterobacter]]'' species
|-
| Children, adolescents (aged 4 y to adult)
| ''[[Staphylococcus aureus|S. aureus]]'' (80%), [[Group A streptococcal infection|group A]] ''Streptococcus'' species, ''[[Haemophilus influenzae|H. influenzae]]'', and ''[[Enterobacter]]'' species
|-
| Adult
| ''[[Staphylococcus aureus|S. aureus]]'' and occasionally ''[[Enterobacter]]'' or ''[[Streptococcus]]'' species
|}


In children, the long bones are usually affected. In adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis are most commonly affected.
In children, the [[long bone]]s are usually affected. In adults, the vertebrae and the [[pelvis]] are most commonly affected.


Acute osteomyelitis almost invariably occurs in children. When adults are affected, it may be because of compromised host resistance due to debilitation, intravenous drug abuse, infectious root-canalled teeth, other disease or drugs (e.g. [[immunosuppressive]] therapy).
Acute osteomyelitis almost invariably occurs in children. When adults are affected, it may be because of compromised host resistance due to debilitation, [[intravenous]] drug abuse, infectious root-canaled teeth, or other disease or drugs (''[[e.g.]]'' [[immunosuppressive]] therapy).


The vast predominance of hematogenously seeded osteomyelitis is caused by ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''. ''[[Escherichia coli]]'', ''Salmonella paratyphi'', and ''[[streptococcus|streptococci]]'' are other common [[pathogen]]s. In some subpopulations, including intravenous drug users and [[splenectomy|splenectomized]] patients, [[Gram negative]] bacteria, including enteric bacilli, are significant pathogens.
Osteomyelitis is a secondary [[complication (medicine)|complication]] in 1-3% of patients with pulmonary [[tuberculosis]]<ref name="Robbins" />. In this case, the bacteria generally spread to the bone through the [[circulatory system]], first infecting the [[synovium]] (due to its higher [[oxygen]] concentration) before spreading to the adjacent bone<ref name="Robbins" />. In tubercular osteomyelitis, the long bones and vertebrae are the ones which tend to be affected<ref name="Robbins" />.
 
''Staphylococcus aureus'' is also one of the most common organisms seen in osteomyelitis seeded from areas of contiguous infection, but here Gram negative organisms and anaerobes are somewhat more common, and mixed infections may be seen.
 
Systemic mycotic, or fungal infections may cause osteomyelitis. The two most common are Blastomyces dermatitidis and [[Coccidioides immitis]].
 
In osteomyelitis involving the vertebral bodies, about half the cases are due to ''Staphylococcus aureus'', and the other half are due to [[tuberculosis]] (spread hematogenously from the [[lung]]s). Tubercular osteomyelitis of the spine was so common before the initiation of effective antitubercular therapy that it acquired a special name, ''[[Pott's disease]]'', by which it is sometimes still known. The most frequent cause is from infection of an incision from surgery.


==Presentation==
==Presentation==

Revision as of 00:17, 12 April 2009

Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis in cancer.
Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology
ICD-10 M86
ICD-9 730
DiseasesDB 9367
MedlinePlus 000437
eMedicine ped/1677 
MeSH C01.539.160.495

Template:Search infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [3] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone or bone marrow, usually caused by pyogenic bacteria or mycobacteria. It can be usefully subclassifed on the basis of the causative organism, the route, duration and anatomic location of the infection.

Etiology

Age group Most common organisms
Newborns (younger than 4 mo) S. aureus, Enterobacter species, and group A and B Streptococcus species
Children (aged 4 mo to 4 y) S. aureus, group A Streptococcus species, Haemophilus influenzae, and Enterobacter species
Children, adolescents (aged 4 y to adult) S. aureus (80%), group A Streptococcus species, H. influenzae, and Enterobacter species
Adult S. aureus and occasionally Enterobacter or Streptococcus species

In children, the long bones are usually affected. In adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis are most commonly affected.

Acute osteomyelitis almost invariably occurs in children. When adults are affected, it may be because of compromised host resistance due to debilitation, intravenous drug abuse, infectious root-canaled teeth, or other disease or drugs (e.g. immunosuppressive therapy).

Osteomyelitis is a secondary complication in 1-3% of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis[1]. In this case, the bacteria generally spread to the bone through the circulatory system, first infecting the synovium (due to its higher oxygen concentration) before spreading to the adjacent bone[1]. In tubercular osteomyelitis, the long bones and vertebrae are the ones which tend to be affected[1].

Presentation

Generally microorganisms may be disseminated to bone hematogenously (i.e., via the blood stream), spread contiguously to bone from local areas of infection, such as cellulitis, or be introduced by penetrating trauma including iatrogenic causes such as joint replacements, internal fixation of fractures or root-canalled teeth. Leukocytes then enter the infected area, and in their attempt to engulf the infectious organisms, release enzymes that lyse bone. Pus spreads into the bone's blood vessels, impairing the flow, and areas of devitalized infected bone, known as sequestra, form the basis of a chronic infection. Often, the body will try to create new bone around the area of necrosis. The resulting new bone is often called an involucrum.

On histologic examination, these areas of necrotic bone are the basis for distinguishing between acute osteomyelitis and chronic osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infective process which encompasses all of the bone (osseous) components, including the bone marrow. When it is chronic it can lead to bone sclerosis and deformity.

Because of the particulars of their blood supply, the tibia, the femur, the humerus, the vertebra, the maxilla and the mandibular bodies are especially susceptible to osteomyelitis. [4]

Complete Differential Diagnosis of Associated Conditions

Diagnostic Findings

  • Conventional radiographic evaluation of acute osteomyelitis is insufficient because bone changes are not evident for 14–21 days after the onset of infection.
  • Although MR imaging is the accepted modality of choice for the early detection and surgical localization of osteomyelitis, in the emergency department, CT is usually more readily available for establishing the diagnosis. [4]
  • At CT, features of bacterial osteomyelitis include overlying soft-tissue swelling, periosteal reaction, medullary low-attenuation areas or trabecular coarsening, and focal cortical erosions.

MRI

Images courtesy of RadsWiki

Patient #1 Extensive calcaneal osteomyelitis. Note soft tissue ulceration and cellulitis

Bone Scan

Patient #2

Images courtesy of RadsWiki


<youtube v=X2ShDUfeso0/>

Osteomyelitis and Chondritis of Vertebrae

<youtube v=KTfOwYS1ykY/>

Treatment

Osteomyelitis often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy. IV antibiotics are generally used to combat the infection, with a course lasting a matter of weeks or months. A PICC line or central venous catheter is often placed for this purpose. Osteomyelitis also may require surgical debridement. Severe cases may lead to the loss of a limb. Initial first line antibiotic choice is determined by the patient's history and regional differences in common infective organisms.

Prior to the widespread availability and use of antibiotics, blow fly larvae were sometimes deliberately introduced to the wounds to feed on the infected material, effectively scouring clean.[5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2
  2. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016
  3. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X
  4. Laura M. Fayad, John A. Carrino, and Elliot K. Fishman. Musculoskeletal Infection: Role of CT in the Emergency Department. RadioGraphics 2007 27: 1723-1736.

See also

External Links

Additional Resources

Template:Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

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