title: Locations of osteomyelitis in children with sickle-cell disease at Tokoin teaching hospital (Togo).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The sickle-cell children are particularly affected by osteomyelitis in specific locations. This study was done in order to point out the locations of osteomyelitis in children with sickle-cell disease. This direct clinical examination for a quick diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study done by examining files of 43 children (15 girls and 28 boys), aged from 0 to 15 years, treated for osteomyelitis between January 1998 and December 2006. Their phenotypes included 18 SS, 14 SC and 11 AS. Osteomyelitis was acute in 20 cases and chronic in 23 cases. The different localisations are classified according to the type of osteomyelitis and the kind of bones concerned.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 43 children presented 63 locations: 57 on long bones and 6 on short bones. The osteomyelitis was unifocal in 32 cases, and multifocal in 11 cases. The locations on long bones were humeral (18 cases), tibial (12 cases), femoral (9 cases), fibular (7 cases), radial (7 cases) and ulnar (4 cases). The 6 short bones included 3 metacarpus and 3 phalanxes. The 11 multifocal locations concerned 8 SS, 2 AS and 1 SC. In chronic osteomyelitis, 7 patients had sequestrum and 2 had pathological fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During examination of sickle-cell children with fever, particular attention must be shown, respectively to the arm, the leg and the thigh, in order to track down quickly, an acute osteomyelitis. Early diagnosis and quick treatment permit to avoid complications and heavy sequela in these children.
authors: Faculté Mixte de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Lomé, Togo. akanugregoire@yahoo.fr
authors: Gamedzi Komlatsè
authors: GK
authors: Akakpo-Numado
authors: Komla
authors: K
authors: Gnassingbé
authors: Anani
authors: A
authors: Abalo
authors: Missoki Azanledji
authors: MA
authors: Boume
authors: Kodjo Abossisso
authors: KA
authors: Sakiye
authors: Hubert
authors: H
authors: Tekou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014037:Togo