Osteomyelitis Flashcards
What is osteomyelitis?
Infection of the bone and the bone marrow
Where does osteomyelitis occur in the bone?
Metaphysis of the long bone
What is the main bacterial cause of osteomyelitis?
Staphylococcus Aureus
What is the main bacterial cause of osteomyelitis in someone with a history of sickle cell anaemia?
Salmonella
Who does osteomyelitis most commonly affect?
Boys
Children under 10
What are risk factors for someone developing osteomyelitis?
Immunocompromised
Sickle cell anaemia
Open bone fracture
Orthopaedic surgery
What 2 ways can osteomyelitis present?
Acutely with an unwell child
Chronically with more subtle signs
How can a child with osteomyelitis present?
- Refusing to use the limb or weight bear
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
What is the best investigation for osteomyelitis?
MRI
What is usually the initial imaging for osteomyelitis?
X-ray
What is the problem with an x-ray?
It may appear normal
What other investigations would you do for osteomyelitis?
Full blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
What might you find in a full blood count of someone with osteomyelitis?
White blood cells
How will the erythrocyte sedimentation rate appear in osteomyelitis?
It will be raised
What is the medical management of osteomyelitis?
Flucloxacillin and rifampicin
