Osteomyelitis Flashcards
What is osteomyelitis?
inflammation in a bone and bone marrow usually caused by a bacteria infection
What is the most common cause of osteomyelitis?
haematogenous spread - where a pathogen is carried through the blood and seeded in the bone
Other than haematogenous spread, give a common cause of osteomyelitis:
direct contamination of a bone - e.g. at a fracture site or orthopaedic operation
What bacteria is the most common pathogen associated with osteomyelitis?
Staphylococcus aureus
Give 6 risk factors for osteomyelitis:
1) open fractures
2) peripheral arterial disease
3) orthopaedic operations especially with prosthetic joints
4) diabetes
5) immunosuppression
6) IV drug use
Give 5 presentations of osteomyelitis:
1) fever
2) pain and tenderness
3) erythema
4) swelling
5) nausea
True or false: X-rays do not tell us much about osteomyelitis
true (X-rays cannot be used to exclude osteomyelitis)
Give 3 X-ray signs associated with osteomyelitis:
1) periosteal reactions (changes to the surface of the bone)
2) localised osteopenia (thinning of the bone)
3) destruction of the bone
What imagine method is best for establishing a diagnosis of osteomyelitis?
MRI
What blood findings may help diagnose osteomyelitis? (2)
1) raised inflammatory markers (WCC, ESR, CRP)
2) blood cultures positive for organisms
Give the two stage management plan for treating osteomyelitis:
1) surgical debridement of infected bone and surrounded tissue
2) antibiotics
What antibiotic is given in osteomyelitis?
osteomyelitis?
6 week course of flucloxacillin
What antibiotic is given in MRSA osteomyelitis?
vancomycin
What antibiotic is given to patients with osteomyelitis who are allergic to penicillin?
clindamycin
