Osteomyelitis

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Limping. Not using left leg. Pyrexia.

Patient Data

Age: 2 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

Ultrasound demonstrates a large hip effusion with echogenic contents.

x-ray

Focal lucency on the lateral margin of the metaphysis adjacent to the physis. The epiphysis appears normal. Features here are of osteomyelitis (and septic arthritis given the US findings).

mri

The metaphyseal focal lucency on the plain film is demonstrated as a T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense ring enhancing lesion with surrounding enhancing edema and a hip effusion. This confirms osteomyelitis as the most likely cause.

Case Discussion

Osteomyelitis in children favors the metaphyseal regions because they are hypervascular and consist of small vessels. The small vessels are the most likely place for relative stasis of infected blood to occur and thus, the most commonly encountered focus of bone infection.

Blood markers for infection were elevated and blood cultures positive for Strep pneumoniae.

Pain resolved following treatment with IV antibiotics. 

Repeat plain film (not provided) revealed sclerosis and healing at the femoral metaphysis.

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