Dr. Loo -- Bone and Joint Infections Flashcards
Describe the Lew and Waldwogel classification for osteomyelitis
- Acute vs. chronic
- Acute <2 weeks
- Subacute 2 weeks - 3 months
- Chronic > 3 months
- Mechanism of infection
- Hematogenous
- Contiguous
- Presence of vascular insufficiency
3 pathophysiologies of osteomyelitis
- Hematogenous
- Contiguous spread
- Direct inoculation of infection to bone from trauma or surgery
3 risk factors for hematogenous osteomyelitis in children
- Immunodeficiency – chronic granulomatous disorders
- Bacteremia
- Sickle cell disease
Most common site of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children
Long bones = metaphysis
Most common locations of hematogenous osteomyelitis in adults
Vertebrae – neighboring endplates involved
- Lumbar
- Thoracic
- Cervical
Why are neighboring endplates of vertebrae in adults commonly affected by hematogenous osteomyelitis?
They have an artery bifurcating to supply the endplates
Most common pathogen in children and adults for hematogenous osteomyelitis
*S. aureus *(50 - 60%)
Virulence factors of *S. aureus *explaining why it is a common pathogen in hematogenous osteomyelitis
Adhere to bone via adhesins
Can survive within osteoblasts
3 pathogens causing hematogenous osteomyelitis in children (besides S. aureus)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- *Streptococcus pyogenes *(GAS)
- *Kingella kingae *(<4 years old)
2 pathogens for hematogenous osteomyelitis in neonates
- *Streptococcus agalactiae *(GBS)
- E. coli
Pathogen for hematogenous osteomyelitis in the setting of sickle cell anemia
Salmonella
Define the pathophysiology of contiguous osteomyelitis
Infection of bone usually from a skin and soft tissue infection that extends into the adjacent bone (i.e. diabetic patients with longstanding cutaneous ulcers)
Can also occur with prosthetic hardware
5 pathogens involved in contiguous osteomyelitis
Polymicrobial
- Staphylococcus aureus
- *Streptococcus *(B-hemolytic)
- Enterococcus
- Aerobic gram negative bacilli – Enterobacteriaceae
- Anaerobes
4 contributing factors to diabetic foot ulcers causing contiguous osteomyelitis
- Neuropathy
- Vascular insufficiency
- Hyperglycemia
- Poor vision
NOTE: Ulcers larger than 2 x 2 cm usually associated with underlying osteomyelitis
8 clinical manifestations of osteomyelitis
- Pain at involved site, with or without movement
- Warmth
- Erythema
- Swelling
- Fever (20 - 50%)
- Long bone = may spread to involve joint
- Vertebral = may have associated epidural abscess
- Presence of sinus tract = suggestive of chronic osteomyelitis
5 things to check on examination of patient with suspected osteomyelitis
- Vital signs (temp, fever)
- Anatomic area of pain
- Signs of inflammation
- Wounds as portal of entry
- Signs of endocarditis (i.e. heart murmur, emboli)
Initial assessment of diabetic patients with foot ulcers
Probe to bone
4 diagnostic tests for osteomyelitis and their usual results
- CBC (increased)
- CRP (increased in 80%)
- Blood cultures (50% + in hematogenous)
- Bone biopsy (+ in up to 87% and also send for pathology)
NOTE: Swabs of skin ulcers should not be used (correlatoin with bone biopsy results is poor)
How long does it take to see changes due to osteomyelitis on plain X-ray
2 - 4 weeks
For what kind of osteomyelitis is plain X-ray useful?
Chronic
5 findings on X-ray for chronic osteomyelitis
- Cortical erosion
- Periosteal reaction
- Mixed lucency
- Sclerosis
- Sequestra
NOTE: May be difficult to distinguish from Charcot arthropathy
Pros and cons of using nuclear scans to diagnose osteomyelitis
- Pro = sensitive
- Cons = can be nonspecific; degenerative disease can give false +
Imaging of choice for osteomyelitis diagnosis and why
MRI because of excellent resolution and early signs present:
- Diabetic patients with possible osteomyelitis of foot
- Vertebral osteomyelitis
- High NPV
When is CT scan performed in diagnosis of osteomyelitis
If MRI cannot be obtained
One area of body where CT scan is especially good for diagnosis of osteomyelitis
Pelvic area
6 things that CT scan can detect in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis
- Cortical integrity
- Periosteal reaction
- Intraosseous gas
- Sinus tracts
- Associated abscesses
- Sequestra
3 points of management in terms of surgery to treat osteomyelitis
- Debridement should be considered for chronic to remove devitalized bone
- Revascularization may be necessary
- Surgery usually not required for children unless abscess or devitalized bone
First choice antibiotics to treat against MSSA in osteomyelitis
- Cloxacillin
- Cefazolin
Second choice antibiotic to treat against MSSA in osteomyelitis
Vancomycin
First choice antibiotics to treat against MRSA in osteomyelitis
- Vancomycin
- Daptomycin
Second choice antibiotic to treat against MSSA in osteomyelitis
Linezolid with rifampin
First choice antibiotics to treat against penicillin susceptible Streptoccocus in osteomyelitis
- Penicillin
- Ceftriaxone
- Cefazolin
Second choice antibiotic to treat against penicillin susceptible streptococcus in osteomyelitis
Vancomycin