title: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the odontoid process in a child with torticollis.
abstract: Acute vertebral osteomyelitis is rare in the pediatric population. Its presentation may be subtle and without constitutional manifestations. We present a case of osteomyelitis of the odontoid process. The disease was not considered in the initial evaluation of an afebrile, nontoxic child who presented for evaluation of neck stiffness. Although there was a delay in diagnosis and treatment, the outcome was favorable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, 3525 Southern Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45429, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nolting
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kleiner
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents