title: Osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pubic symphysis osteomyelitis during the antepartum period of pregnancy is rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a patient in the third trimester who presented with pubic pain, low-grade fever, and altered gait. She was found to have a retropubic abscess at the time of cesarean delivery. Radiologic imaging showed findings consistent with osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis and multiple pus collections in the pelvis and labia. The patient was treated with surgical debridement of the affected bone and placement of antibiotic-impregnated beads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis can have serious complications. The diagnosis should be considered in pregnant patients with clinical findings unusual for pubic symphysis diastases. It can be treated with antibiotic-impregnated beads.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania, USA. gamblekv@aol.com
authors.forename: Kendra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Dardarian
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finstein
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Harish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sehdev
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Randall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011631:Pubic Symphysis