Osteomyelitis originating in and around bone infarcts: giant sequestrum phenomena

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001 Feb;176(2):387-91. doi: 10.2214/ajr.176.2.1760387.

Abstract

Objective: We describe four cases of osteomyelitis that occurred in and around foci of preexisting osteonecrosis in the medullary cavity. Although sequestration is a well-known complication of osteomyelitis, there is little information known about infection occurring in proximity to large regions of already necrotic bone.

Conclusion: Osteomyelitis and bone infarction can be seen in the same patient population. Medullary infarcts may function as sequestra, predisposing patients to osteomyelitis and soft-tissue infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone and Bones / blood supply*
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infarction / complications*
  • Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Infarction / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteomyelitis / etiology*
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology
  • Osteonecrosis / complications
  • Osteonecrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteonecrosis / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed