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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: osteomyelitis + osteomyelitis: + web  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Girl's infection worst I've seen - doctor The Australian, Australia - Jul 30, 2008 A post-mortem examination found septicemia was the reason for the heart attack, caused by osteomyelitis, or a bone infection, stemming from a fracture in ... Neighbour said child needed medical care, court hears ABC Online all 24 news articles » A novel observation of pubic osteomyelitis due to Streptococcus ... 7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - Jul 31, 2008 IntroductionPubic osteomyelitis should be suspected in athletic individuals with sudden groin pain, painful restriction of hip movements and fever. ... Diabetic Foot Infection RedOrbit, TX - Jul 15, 2008 Imaging studies are indicated for suspected deep soft tissue purulent collections or osteomyelitis. Optimal management requires aggressive surgical ... Daily Mail Doctor, I've got a bone to pick with you... The bone problems that ... Daily Mail, UK - If it is left untreated, osteomyelitis can lead to blood poisoning which can be fatal. There are around 2000 new cases in the UK every year. ... Leg Lengthening Plastic Surgery Make Me Heal, CA - Jul 21, 2008 He also warns, ?Unfortunately, bone lengthening is a tedious process which can result in a major complication like osteomyelitis (infection of the bone). ...PINK:PSUG Court Hears Testimony in Case of Australian Youth Left to Die in ... FOXNews - Jul 28, 2008 Mr Coates said osteomyelitis was a condition common in children that doctors would have had "no difficulty diagnosing." "With medical treatment she could ... Ortho SuperSite Hydatid bone disease of the femur Ortho SuperSite, NJ - Jul 22, 2008 With long bone localization, the differantial diagnosis includes chronic osteomyelitis, fibrous displasia of bone, osteosarcoma, and cystic benign lesions. ... Fundraisers will benefit many area causes Palladium-Item, IN - Jul 31, 2008 Proceeds this year will also go to toddler Lori Stofferahn, who has been diagnosed with discitis and osteomyelitis and gets treatment at Riley Children's ... News & Star Leading the way: Mum Margaret Woodburn News & Star, UK - Jul 30, 2008 She suffered from a chronic infection of the bone and bone marrow for 20 years which led to osteomyelitis and thought she would need two operations on the ... Wenatchee area clinics are promoting services to migrants Seattle Times, United States - Jul 21, 2008 "It turned out he had osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone marrow, that could have had severe implications for him."

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, usually caused by bacteria or fungi. It is commonly found in the bones of the spine, but it can also spread into the discs between the bones and the area surrounding the spinal cord. The infection can also occur in the bones of the feet in patients with diabetes or in bones that have been injured or undergone surgery. Osteomyelitis can occur at any age, but it is most common in young children and the elderly.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Malaise
• Ongoing, severe back pain that is worse with movement
• Sweating
• Swelling, warmth, redness and tenderness at the site of the infection
  
• Weight loss

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When the infection is in the back, the patient may have back pain or muscle spasms but no fever. If the infection invades the space that surrounds the spinal cord, the patient may have severe, radiating back pain with muscle weakness and paralysis.

If the condition cannot be completely cured, it may turn into a low-grade form of the condition that comes and goes for months or years. This form may occur with bone pain, tenderness and sinus drainage. Because bone infections often block blood vessels, parts of the bone die. This leads to the spread of the infection, and abscesses that drain through the skin may develop.

The staphylococcus aureus bacteria from a wound or a contaminated needle usually cause the acute form. A combination of microbes, including tuberculosis, HIV and others that affect immunity usually are responsible for the chronic form. Anyone who has a debilitating disease, cancer or diabetes or has had radiation therapy, dialysis or intravenous drugs has a higher risk of this infection.

In addition to taking a medical history and performing a physical exam, a doctor may order:

• Blood tests
• X-rays. Three to four weeks after the infection has set in, it may be visible on X-rays.
  
• Bone scans using radioisotopes can reveal problems sooner than X-rays. They do not, however, show whether the problems are due to infection, fractures or tumors.
  
• Taking a sample of the bone tissue for examination under a microscope (biopsy).
  

Antibiotics may be used to treat osteomyelitis. If antibiotic treatment fails, the infection may need to be surgically removed. Surgery may include draining the infection, removing infected bone and rebuilding the spine. Spinal instrumentation and fusion may be used to correct spinal deformity and provide permanent stability to the spinal column.