[Acute osteomyelitis in young children--a diagnostic challenge].
BACKGROUND
Acute osteomyelitis in young children poses a diagnostic challenge. Signs and symptoms are often not well defined and blood tests (SR, CRP etc.) are often of limited value. Standard roentgenograms do not preclude the diagnosis.


METHODS
We present eight cases of acute osteomyelitis in children under the age of two, seen at the Child Centre, at Ullevaal University Hospital during the last year.


RESULTS
Scintigraphic interpretation failed to reveal the diagnosis in two cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was shown to be a more reliable method. Only a few biopsies were done.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of children suspected of suffering from an osteomyelitis should include both a bone scintigraphy, MRI, and to the extent possible a needle biopsy.
Wathne
K O
KO
Barnemedisinsk avdeling, Ullevål sykehus, 0407 Oslo. karl-olaf.wathne@ulleval.no
Babovic
A
A
Nordshus
T
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging