Osteomyelitis in Emergency Medicine 

  • Author: Randall W King, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 27, 2011
 

Background

Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the bone and its structures secondary to infection with pyogenic organisms.

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Pathophysiology

Osteomyelitis may be localized or it may spread through the periosteum, cortex, marrow, and cancellous tissue. The bacterial pathogen varies on the basis of the patient's age and the mechanism of infection.

The following are the 2 primary categories of acute osteomyelitis: hematogenous osteomyelitis and direct or contiguous inoculation osteomyelitis.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis is an infection caused by bacterial seeding from the blood. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis is characterized by an acute infection of the bone caused by the seeding of the bacteria within the bone from a remote source. This condition primarily occurs in children. The most common site is the rapidly growing and highly vascular metaphysis of growing bones. The apparent slowing or sludging of blood flow as the vessels make sharp angles at the distal metaphysis predisposes the vessels to thrombosis and the bone itself to localized necrosis and bacterial seeding.

Vertebral osteomyelitis at any age is most often a secondary complication of a remote infection with hematogenous seeding. In approximately one half of vertebral osteomyelitis cases, a source can be identified such as urinary tract or skin, and approximately one third may be diagnosed with endocarditis.[1] Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, despite its name, may have a slow clinical development and insidious onset.

Direct or contiguous inoculation osteomyelitis is caused by direct contact of the tissue and bacteria during trauma or surgery. Direct inoculation (contiguous-focus) osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone secondary to the inoculation of organisms from direct trauma, spread from a contiguous focus of infection, or sepsis after a surgical procedure. Clinical manifestations of direct inoculation osteomyelitis are more localized than those of hematogenous osteomyelitis and tend to involve multiple organisms.

Additional categories include chronic osteomyelitis and osteomyelitis secondary to peripheral vascular disease. Chronic osteomyelitis persists or recurs, regardless of its initial cause and/or mechanism and despite aggressive intervention. Although listed as an etiology, peripheral vascular disease is actually a predisposing factor rather than a true cause of infection.

Disease states known to predispose patients to osteomyelitis include diabetes mellitus,[2]sickle cell disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), intravenous (IV) drug abuse, alcoholism, chronic steroid use, immunosuppression, and chronic joint disease. In addition, the presence of a prosthetic orthopedic device is an independent risk factor, as is any recent orthopedic surgery or open fracture.

For the radiologic perspective, see Osteomyelitis, Acute Pyogenic and Osteomyelitis, Chronic.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

The overall prevalence is 1 case per 5,000 children. Neonatal prevalence is approximately 1 case per 1,000. The annual incidence in patients with sickle cell anemia is approximately 0.36%. The prevalence of osteomyelitis after foot puncture (as is seen in the image below) may be as high as 16% (30-40% in patients with diabetes). The incidence of vertebral osteomyelitis is approximately 2.4 cases per 100,000 population.[1]

Osteomyelitis of diabetic foot. Photography by DavOsteomyelitis of diabetic foot. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.

International

The overall incidence is higher in developing countries.

Mortality/Morbidity

Morbidity can be significant and can include localized spread of infection to associated soft tissues or joints; evolution to chronic infection, with pain and disability; amputation of the involved extremity; generalized infection; or sepsis. As many as 10-15% of patients with vertebral osteomyelitis develop neurologic findings or frank spinal-cord compression. As many as 30% of pediatric patients with long-bone osteomyelitis may develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The development of DVT may also be a marker for disseminated infection.[3] Vascular complications appear to be more common with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) than was previously recognized.[4]

Mortality rates are low, unless associated sepsis or an underlying serious medical condition is present.

Race

No increased incidence of osteomyelitis is noted based on race.

Sex

Males are at increased relative risk, which increases through childhood, peaking in adolescence and falling to a low ratio in adults.[5]

Age

In general, osteomyelitis has a bimodal age distribution. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis is primarily a disease in children. Direct trauma and contiguous focus osteomyelitis are more common among adults and adolescents than in children. Vertebral osteomyelitis is more common in persons older than 45 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Randall W King, MD, FACEP  Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, The University of Toledo College of Medicine; Director, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Associate Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Randall W King, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, Ohio State Medical Association, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Challenger corporation None Physician Advisory Board; Ohio ACEP Consulting fee Editor Rivers review text Emergency Medicine

Coauthor(s)

David Johnson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toledo College of Medicine; Chairman, Department of Emergency Services, St Vincent's Mercy Medical Center, Toledo

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Dana A Stearns, MD  Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dana A Stearns, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Eric L Weiss, MD, DTM&H  Medical Director, Office of Service Continuity and Disaster Planning, Fellowship Director, Stanford University Medical Center Disaster Medicine Fellowship, Chairman, SUMC and LPCH Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness Task Force, Clinical Associate Progressor, Department of Surgery (Emergency Medicine), Stanford University Medical Center

Eric L Weiss, MD, DTM&H is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Southeastern Surgical Congress, Southern Association for Oncology, Southern Clinical Neurological Society, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

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Osteomyelitis of the elbow. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis of index finger metacarpal head secondary to clenched fist injury. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis of index finger metacarpal head secondary to clenched fist injury. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis of the great toe. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis of T10 secondary to streptococcal disease. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis of diabetic foot. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
Osteomyelitis. Radiography of diabetic foot showing osteomyelitis with gas. Photography by David Effron MD, FACEP.
 
 
 
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