[Cellulitis of the leg as the presentation of pandiaphysitis in the child (author's transl)]. / Cellulite de jambe, révélatrice de pandiaphysite chez l'enfant.

The authors report 6 cases of acute osteomyelitis of the leg, presenting with a very severe subcutaneous cellulitis and progressing to sub-periosteal abscess, then pandiaphysitis with major bone destruction at the 15th day, despite antibiotics. However, all these children recovered without sequelae, apart from one case. Early diagnosis was difficult and treatment started after an excessive delay in the majority of cases. If it can be performed on an emergency basis, Technetium bone scan is useful in making the diagnosis. In the absence of the type of examination, any case of severe subcutaneous cellulitis in a child must be considered as a potential osteomyelitis and treated as such.