title: The role of surgery in primary osteomyelitis of the chest wall.
abstract: Seven patients with primary osteomyelitis of the chest wall are described. All patients presented with pain at the site of infection, and four patients had a tumor-like mass that could easily be confused with a neoplastic process. All were heroin addicted and pseudomonas was the most common organism cultured. Conservative management with antibiotics for a minimum of 4 weeks is recommended with operation assuming a secondary role, namely, to assist in the initial diagnosis or in the form of limited resection of residual sinuses. Primary wide resection is discouraged.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents