Osteomyelitis

Question 1

What is osteomyelitis?

Answer 1

Infection of the bone

Question 2

Most common cause?

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aureus
Gram positive (blue) clusters of cocci (anaerobic)
Salmonella species in sickle cell patients

Question 3

Predisposing conditions?

Answer 3

Diabetes mellitus
Sickle cell anaemia
Immunocompromise (HIV/chemotherapy/corticosteroid use)
IVDU
Alcohol excess

Question 4

What investigations would you carry out in suspected osteomyelitis

Answer 4

MRI

Question 5

How would you manage osteomyelitis?

Answer 5

Flucloxacillin for 6 weeks (beta-lactam - cell wall)

Clindamycin if pen-allergic (inhibits protein synthesis)