Pasteurella abscess in tibial regenerate bone: a case report

Although superficial pin tract infections during limb lengthening are extremely common, most settle spontaneously or with antibiotics. In contrast, deep infection around pin tracts leading to osteomyelitis and abscess formation is much less frequently observed and may need washout and curettage. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with latent abscess formation at a tibial lengthening site because of Pasteurella, a rare bacterial cause of infection usually associated with animals. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of abscess formation within regenerate bone associated with this organism and its late presentation in previously well-healed bone is surprising.