Primary Epiphyseal Osteomyelitis (PEO) in 18 Children: A Rare Entity With Atypical Features.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to discuss the natural history and management of primary epiphyseal osteomyelitis (PEO), to differentiate clinico-radiologic features of PEO caused by Mycobacterium and other organisms, and to discuss their intermediate-term outcomes. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2017, 18 patients of PEO were managed at our center. Blood investigations, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging of affected part were carried out. Surgical drainage of lesions was done to retrieve infective fluid and tissue for examination. Antibiotics were administered for 1 year in Mycobacterial PEO and for 6 weeks in bacterial PEO. Average follow-up of patients was 5.5 years (range, 2 to 11 y). RESULTS: Boys were more commonly affected (11/18). Distal femur was the most common site involved (12/18). Eleven patients had Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative organism, 6 were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, and 1 for Brucella. Swelling and limp were predominant in patients with Tubercular PEO, whereas pain was more common in bacterial PEO. Nine of 11 patients with Tubercular PEO had penetration into the joint, whereas none in bacterial PEO. All patients recovered completely without residual movement restriction or growth alteration. On follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, 4 patients with Tubercular PEO had thinning of articular cartilage. CONCLUSION: High index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis of PEO. It is important to differentiate Tubercular from other bacterial PEO as it has more subtle symptoms and poor prognosis if left untreated. Aggressive surgical treatment followed by antibiotic therapy of appropriate duration is required to avoid complications related to joint destruction. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series with longest follow-up.

An Unreported Variant of Convergent Dislocation of Elbow.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric traumatic elbow dislocation is an uncommon injury accounting for 3-% of all pediatric elbow injuries. It can present as an isolated injury or in association with fractures of radius, ulna, or humerus. Posterolateral type is the most common accounting for 70% of all pediatric elbow dislocations. Other less common types are anterior, medial, lateral, convergent, and divergent dislocations. We describe an unreported variant of convergent elbow dislocation. CASE REPORT: This is the case report of a convergent elbow dislocation with a radial neck fracture and proximal ulna fracture with ulnar nerve paresthesia in an 11-year-old boy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report with these concomitant injuries. CONCLUSION: The current case shows stepwise approach to this variety of injury where anatomical reduction of both ulnar and radial fractures was required to achieve a good range of motion at the elbow and forearm at the long term.