Emphysematous osteomyelitis

Changed by Hoe Han Guan, 28 Apr 2023
Disclosures - updated 14 Dec 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Emphysematous osteomyelitis is an extremely rare form of osteomyelitis which is complicated by infection with gas-forming organisms. Only a handful of cases are published in the literature.

Pathology

Commonly reported organisms include 1

  • Fusobacterium necrophorum  
  • Escherichia coli 4
  • Bacteroides spp.
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
Location

The vertebrae may be involved in ~40% of cases 1

Radiographic features

It is characterised by the presence of intraosseous gas (pumice stone sign) accompanied by other signs of bony and soft tissue infection.

History and etymology

It was initially described by P C Ram and colleagues in 1981 2.

See also

  • -<p><strong>Emphysematous osteomyelitis</strong> is an extremely rare form of <a href="/articles/osteomyelitis">osteomyelitis</a> which is complicated by infection with gas-forming organisms. Only a handful of cases are published in the literature.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Commonly reported organisms include <sup>1</sup></p><ul>
  • -<li><em>Fusobacterium necrophorum  </em></li>
  • -<li><em>Escherichia coli <sup>4</sup></em></li>
  • -<li>
  • -<em>Bacteroides </em>spp.</li>
  • -<li><em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em></li>
  • +<p><strong>Emphysematous osteomyelitis</strong> is an extremely rare form of <a href="/articles/osteomyelitis">osteomyelitis</a> which is complicated by infection with gas-forming organisms. Only a handful of cases are published in the literature.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Commonly reported organisms include <sup>1</sup></p><ul>
  • +<li><em>Fusobacterium necrophorum  </em></li>
  • +<li><em>Escherichia coli <sup>4</sup></em></li>
  • +<li>
  • +<em>Bacteroides </em>spp.</li>
  • +<li><em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em></li>
Images Changes:

Image 2 CT (bone window) ( create )

Caption was added:
Case 2
Position was set to 2.

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