Title: Chronic Osteomyelitis in Adults: A Prospective Study

Authors: Dr Vishwas Sharad Phadke, Dr Satish Divakar Mehta, Dr Sunil V.Patil

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i1.120

Abstract

Background: Osteomyelitis is inflammation of the bone caused by an infecting organism. It is divided into acute, subacute and chronic osteomyelitis on the basis of the duration from the onset of symptoms to the definitive diagnosis. The common predisposing factors for development of chronic osteomyelitis are diabetes, immunosuppression, individuals on immunosuppressants, chemotherapeutic agents or on steroids. The management of chronic osteomyelitis is challenging and consist of prolonged course of appropriate antibiotics and surgical interventions (skin or bone grafting, debridement, drainage of pus and amputation in unrelenting infections).

Aims and Objectives: (1) To study the factors predisposing an individual for the development of chronic osteomyelitis. (2) To know the common bones and type of organisms involved in chronic osteomyelitis.

(3) To study the outcome of cases after appropriate management.

Methods: This was a prospective study in which patients of more than 18 years of age and having been diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis were enrolled on the basis of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The institutional ethical committee approved the study. Informed consent was taken from all the patients. Demographic details, clinical features, associated comorbidities and involved bone were all noted down in a predefined proforma. Diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and culture sensitivity. Patients were managed by surgical interventions and prolonged antibiotics. Patients were followed up for 1 year and outcome was studied.

Results: Out of 45 studied cases males were affected predominantly with a M: F ratio of 1:0.6. Most common age group affected was found to be between 41-50 years. Most common bones involved were femur (28.88%) and tibia (26.66%) followed by fibula (11.11%), iliac bones (6.66%) and humerus (6.66 %). In most of the cases (35/45) contagious spread following trauma was the mechanism of infection. Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes and immunosuppression was present in 44.44% patients. S. Aureaus (17/45) followed by Pseudomonas (9/45) or enterococci (6/45) were the most common pathogens isolated by appropriate culture methods. Finally the analysis of outcome showed that 28 patients were completely cured while remaining patient had some or the other problem associated with chronic osteomyelitis. 3 patients died during study period due to causes unrelated to osteomyelitis.

Conclusion: Management of chronic osteomyelitis is a challenge for treating orthopedicians. Appropriate surgical interventions and suitable antibiotics for prolonged periods are required. Inadequate treatment is fraught with the danger of complications.

Keywords: Chronic Osteomyelitis, risk factors, Management, Outcome.

References

  1. Harik NS, Smeltzer MS. Management of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children. Expert review of anti-infective therapy. 2010;8(2):175-181.
  2. Khan K, Wozniak SE, Mehrabi E, Giannone AL, Dave M. Sternoclavicular Osteomyelitis in an Immunosuppressed Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. The American Journal of Case Reports. 2015;16:908-911. 
  3. Annen MJ, Johnston MJ, Gormley JP, Silverman E. Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis Presenting as a “Cold” Rib in a Child. World Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 2017;16(2):160-162. 
  4. Calhoun JH, Manring MM, Shirtliff M. Osteomyelitis of the Long Bones.  Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2009;23(2):59-72.  
  5. Sendi P, Friedl A, Graber P, Zimmerli W. Reactivation of dormantmicroorganisms following a trauma. Pneumonia, sternal abscess and calcaneus osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Neth J Med. 2008Sep;66(8):363-4.
  6. Olson ME, Horswill AR. Staphylococcus aureusOsteomyelitis: Bad to the Bone. Cell host & microbe. 2013;13 (6):629-631. 
  7. Chiappini E, Mastrangelo G, Lazzeri S. A Case of Acute Osteomyelitis: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment. Nielsen-Saines K, ed. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2016;13(6):539. 
  8. Casqueiro J, Casqueiro J, Alves C. Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus: A review of pathogenesis. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2012;16(Suppl1):S27-S36. 
  9. Lee YJ, Sadigh S, Mankad K, Kapse N, Rajeswaran G. The imaging of osteom-yelitis. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. 2016;6(2):184-198. 
  10. Hatzenbuehler J, Pulling TJ. Diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Nov 1;84(9):1027-33.
  11. Walter G, Kemmerer M, Kappler C, Hoffmann R. Treatment Algorithms for Chronic Osteomyelitis. Deutsches Ärzteb-latt International. 2012;109(14):257-264. 
  12. Felman AH, Shulman ST. Staphylococcal osteomyelitis, sepsis, and pulmonary  disease. Observations of 10 patients with combined osseous and pulmonary  infections. Radiology. 1975 Dec;117(3 Pt 1):649-55.
  13. Rao N, Ziran BH, Lipsky BA. Treating osteomyelitis: antibiotics and surgery.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011 Jan;127 Suppl 1:177S-187S.
  14. Huang C-C, Tsai K-T, Weng S-F, et al. Chronic osteomyelitis increases long-term mortality risk in the elderly: a nationwide population-based cohort study. BMC Geriatrics. 2016;16:72. 
  15. Shen Y, Hu X, Wen C, Ning F, Yu D, Qin F. Treatment of post-traumatic chronic  calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defect by using combined muscle and skin flaps of calf Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2013 Sep;27(9):1061-4. 
  16. Lu Y, Cen Y, Qing Y, Wang H. Surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the skull Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2011 May;25(5):558-61.
  17. Fritz JM, McDonald JR. Osteomyelitis: Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment.  The Physician and sportsmedicine. 2008;36(1):nihpa116823. 
  18. Thanni L. Bacterial osteomyelitis in major sickling haemoglobinopathies: geographic difference in pathogen prevalence. African health sciences. 2006;6(4):236-239.
  19. Ikpeme IA, Ngim NE, Ikpeme AA. Diagnosis and treatment of pyogenic bone infections. Afr Health Sci. 2010 Mar;10(1):82-8.
  20. Barshes NR, Mindru C, Ashong C, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Trautner BW. Treatment Failure and Leg Amputation Among Patients With Foot Osteomyelitis. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2016 Dec;15(4):303-312.

Corresponding Author

Dr Satish Divakar Mehta

Assistant Professor in Orthopaedics,

Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Sangli (Maharashtra) India