title: Chronic osteomyelitis: a continuing orthopaedic challenge in developing countries.
abstract: Nine patients with chronic osteomyelitis, three with problems due to diagnosis, three with dilemmas regarding treatment and three with other complications are presented. It is suggested that although the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in most cases is straightforward, presentation might sometimes be similar to other conditions, which can lead to a dilemma in the diagnosis. Because of the formidable complications, which may be difficult to manage and the difficulty in guaranteeing permanent cure, the best approach is prevention by judicious treatment of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis and of open fractures.
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. lmuseru@muchs.ac.tz
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Museru
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Mcharo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003906:Developing Countries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013636:Tanzania; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome