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Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, 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. more...

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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 or internal fixation of fractures. 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. 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.

Osteomyelitis often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy, lasting a matter of weeks or months, and may require surgical debridement. Severe cases may lead to the loss of a limb.

Because of the particulars of their blood supply, the tibia, the femur, the humerus, and the vertebral bodies are especially prone to osteomyelitis.

The vast predominance of hematogenously seeded osteomyelitis is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli, and streptococci are other common pathogens. In some subpopulations, including intravenous drug users and splenectomized patients, Gram negative bacteria, including enteric bacilli, are significant pathogens.

Staphylococcus aureus is also the most common organism 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.

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 lungs). 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.

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Cellulitis, osteomyelitis explained. (complications of diabetes) : An article from: Diabetes Forecast $5.95 Bisphosphonate therapy improves recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. (Cut Pain, Bone Masses in Three Cases). : An article from: Pediatric News $5.95
Midfacial osteomyelitis in a chronic cocains abuser: A case report : An article from: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal $20.00 Radical surgical treatment for Marjolin ulcer occurring after chronic osteomyelitis.(Letters to the Editor) : An article from: Southern Medical Journal $5.95
Salmonella spinal osteomyelitis: A case report and review of literature.(Case Report)(Column) : An article from: Neurology India $5.95 MRSA osteomyelitis incidence, severity rising: anecdotal accounts.(Infectious Diseases)(methicillin-res istant Staphylococcus aureus) : An article from: Pediatric News $5.95
(99m)Tc-interleukin-8 for imaging acute osteomyelitis : An article from: The Journal of Nuclear Medicine $20.00 Controlling Diabetes, Blood Pressure Reduces Foot Ulcer Risk.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included) : An article from: Family Practice News $5.95
Hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in the adult.(Editorial) : An article from: Southern Medical Journal $5.95 Mycobacterium bovis vertebral osteomyelitis as a complication of intravesical BCG use : An article from: Mayo Clinic Proceedings $20.00

Sequelae of undiagnosed cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in intravenous drug abusers
Sequelae of undiagnosed cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in intravenous drug abusers.(Head And Neck Clinic)
Osteomyelitis
The proper treatment and clinical management of osteomyelitis (bone infection) depend on a successful correlation of its clinical features with radiologic ...
Osteomyelitis outcomes after antimicrobial therapy - Tips from Other Journals
Few studies have examined the outcome of prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of osteomyelitis, partly because this disease is in transition. As the U.S. population has aged
Midfacial osteomyelitis in a chronic cocaine abuser: A case report - Brief Article
Midfacial osteomyelitis in a chronic cocaine abuser: A case report.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis refers to a bone infection, almost always caused by a bacteria. Over time, the result can be destruction of the bone itself.
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Devendra D, Farmer K (2001) Diabetes Care 24(12): 2154 Differentiating osteomyelitis from neuropathic osteoarthropathy is clinically difficult, since ...
Regeneration of the proximal tibial epiphysis after infantile osteomyelitis: REPORT OF THREE CASES WITH AN EIGHT- TO 22-YEAR FOLLOW-UP
We reviewed three infants with destructive osteomyelitis involving the proximal tibial epiphysis at a follow-up of eight to 22 years. All cases showed ...
Iliofemoral distraction and hip reconstruction for the sequelae of a septic dislocated hip with chronic femoral osteomyelitis
We describe a technique of 'cross-hip distraction' to reduce a dislocated hip with subsequent reconstruction of the joint for septic arthritis with extensive ...

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