DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF HAEMATOGEN OSTEOMYELITIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Haematogen osteomyelitis is mostly found in children and adolescents. In western Europe acute haematogen osteomyelitis (AHOM) is a rare dise ase. This is the cause why AHOM is often diagnosed with delay. The tre atment usually is an antibiotic medication and/or surgical interventio ns. Uncharacteristic pain of extremities in children should always con sider the diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis. Investigation should inclu de conventional Xrays, ultrasounds or MRI to prevent the spreading of infection. In cases of multifocale infection radionuclide imaging shou ld be undergone. Differential diagnosis should always include malignan t tumor. If under treatment of antibiotics the clinical signs of illne ss do not decrease within 24 h surgery with fenestration of the involv ed bone, debridement and local application of antibiotics is indicated . In unusual cases or in cases with clinical signs of AHOM but no bact eria specification a malignant tumor has to be excluded.