PYOGENIC INFECTION OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

In athletes, osteoarthritis of the symphysis pubis is an uncommon cond ition that should be promptly differentiated from pubic pain due to mi crotrauma. The symphysis pubis is infected via the bloodstream, usuall y by a staphylococcus. Pubic pain with fever and severe disability sug gests the diagnosis. Increased uptake of bone-seeking radionuclides is an early finding. Microbiological and histological studies of specime ns obtained under radiological guidance confirm the diagnosis. Two new cases of pubic osteoarthritis in young athletes are reported. In one case the causative organism was a Peptostreptococcus, a gram-positive commensal organism normally found on the skin and mucous membranes.