title: Angular deformity of the ankle with sparing of the distal fibula following meningococcal septicaemia: a case series involving 14 ankles in ten children.
abstract: Progressive angular deformity of an extremity due to differential physeal arrest is the most common late orthopaedic sequela following meningococcal septicaemia in childhood. A total of ten patients (14 ankles) with distal tibial physeal arrest as a consequence of meningococcal septicaemia have been reviewed. Radiological analysis of their ankles has demonstrated a distinct pattern of deformity. In 13 of 14 cases the distal fibular physis was unaffected and continued distal fibular growth contributed to a varus deformity. We recommend that surgical management should take account of this consistent finding during the correction of these deformities.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK. fergal.monsell@uhbristol.nhs.uk
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Monsell
authors.forename: A R T
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirubanandan
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000254:growth & development; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*