PRIMARY CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS

The term primary chronic osteomyelitis covers a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical features that should be separated for therapeutic reasons . Unifocal manifestations should be distinguished from multifocal ones . While bacteria are often found in the first group, bacteriological i nvestigations are usually negative in the second group. Additionally, multifocal forms often recur (chronic multifocal recurrent osteomyelit is), possess a long clinical course and may be combined with dermatolo gical disorders (SAPHO syndrome). A biopsy is often necessary for tumo r exclusion and obtaining material for bacteriology. Histology cannot differentiate between the respective forms of chronic osteomyelitis.