Subacute pyogenic osteomyelitis.
Records of 110 cases of subacute osteomyelitis were reviewed. Twenty percent of the cases with a subacute clinical course had diffuse radiological changes more characteristic of an acute disease. Classic metaphyseal (Brodie) abscesses were most common. Diaphyseal lesions, of which over half were in adults, had a significantly higher rate of recurrence. The distribution by site and age of metaphyseal lesions resembled that of acute osteomyelitis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate, but 10% of lesions grew S. epidermidis. A modification of current classification is suggested which offers a basis for management and studies of outcome.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography