Chronic osteomyelitis

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Chronic osteomyelitis ~~represents~~is a form of osteomyelitis and is defined as a progressive inflammatory process resulting in bone destruction and sequestrum formation. It may present as recurrent or intermittent disease.

Pathology

It is a result of osteonecrosis caused by disruption of intraosseous and periosteal blood supply during the acute stage of the disease. A dead infected bone fragment becomes separated from viable bone (known as a sequestrum). Infective agents within the devascularised sequestrum become protected from antibiotics and the endogenous immune response, forming a nidus for chronic infection. This may persist for years.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Inhomogeneous osteosclerosis and/or sequestrum formation (necrotic bone) is characteristic of chronic osteomyelitis on plain radiography.

CT

CT may provide information regarding the presence of sequestra, cloaca, cortical destruction and the thickness of the involucrum.

-<p><strong>Chronic osteomyelitis </strong>represents a form of <a href="/articles/osteomyelitis">osteomyelitis</a> and is a progressive inflammatory process resulting in bone destruction and <a href="/articles/bony-sequestrum">sequestrum</a> formation. It may present as recurrent or intermittent disease.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It is a result of osteonecrosis caused by disruption of intraosseous and periosteal blood supply during the acute stage of the disease. A dead infected bone fragment becomes separated from viable bone (known as a sequestrum). Infective agents within the devascularised sequestrum become protected from antibiotics and the endogenous immune response, forming a nidus for chronic infection. This may persist for years.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Inhomogeneous osteosclerosis and/or sequestrum formation (necrotic bone) is characteristic of chronic osteomyelitis on plain radiography.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT may provide information regarding the presence of sequestra, cloaca, cortical destruction and the thickness of the involucrum.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
+<p><strong>Chronic osteomyelitis </strong>is a form of <a href="/articles/osteomyelitis">osteomyelitis</a> and is defined as a progressive inflammatory process resulting in bone destruction and <a href="/articles/bony-sequestrum">sequestrum</a> formation. It may present as recurrent or intermittent disease.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It is a result of osteonecrosis caused by disruption of intraosseous and periosteal blood supply during the acute stage of the disease. A dead infected bone fragment becomes separated from viable bone (known as a sequestrum). Infective agents within the devascularised sequestrum become protected from antibiotics and the endogenous immune response, forming a nidus for chronic infection. This may persist for years.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Inhomogeneous osteosclerosis and/or sequestrum formation (necrotic bone) is characteristic of chronic osteomyelitis on plain radiography.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT may provide information regarding the presence of sequestra, cloaca, cortical destruction and the thickness of the involucrum.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>

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