title: The Beit CURE Classification of Childhood Chronic Haematogenous Osteomyelitis--a guide to treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Beit CURE (BC) classification is a radiographic classification used in childhood chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis. The aim of this study is to assess correlation between this classification and the type and extent of treatment required.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a retrospective series of 145 cases of childhood chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis classified using the BC classification. Variables measured include age, sex, bone involved, number of admissions, length of stay, type/number of operations and microbiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most commonly affected bone was the tibia (46%), followed by femur (26%) and humerus (10%). Bone defects were most common in the tibia. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated organism. Type B, sequestrum type, was the most common (88%), followed by type C, sclerotic type, (7%) and type A, Brodie's abscess (5%). Types A and B1 had the shortest length of hospitalisation (11 days), type B4 had the longest (87 days). Types A and B1 had the fewest infection control operations. Type B4 had the greatest total number of operations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the BC classification can guide surgical strategy and help predict length of inpatient treatment and number and type of procedures required.
authors.affiliation: FRCS (T&O), North Bristol NHS Trust, 8 Mervyn Road, Bristol, BS7 9EL, UK. stevenson121@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: FRCS (T&O), Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Wigan, UK. hwj@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Henry Wynn
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: FCS (ECSA), Beit CURE International Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. linda.chokotho@cureinternational.org.
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chokotho
authors.affiliation: FRCS (T&O), North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. veronabeckles@googlemail.com.
authors.forename: Verona L L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Beckles
authors.affiliation: FRCS (T&O), Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust, Chester, UK. aojimh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome