Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Treatment with Vancomycin Loaded Calcium Sulphate and Autogenous Bone in an Improved Rabbit Model of Bone Infection
09:09

Treatment with Vancomycin Loaded Calcium Sulphate and Autogenous Bone in an Improved Rabbit Model of Bone Infection

Published on: March 14, 2019

Advances in the diagnosis and management of pediatric osteomyelitis

Isaac Thomsen1, C Buddy Creech

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, USA, isaac.thomsen@vanderbilt.edu.

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|July 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children requires updated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Recent advances include recognizing new pathogens and optimizing antimicrobial treatments for better outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis is a frequent pediatric infection with evolving etiological factors.
  • Limited data exist for optimizing diagnosis and therapy in children.
  • Recent shifts in causative organisms include increased recognition of Kingella kingae and community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent investigations into the optimal diagnosis and management of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children.
  • To highlight changes in etiology and emerging treatment strategies.
  • To provide guidance on current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on pediatric osteomyelitis.
  • Analysis of diagnostic advancements, including MRI and inflammatory markers.
  • Evaluation of current and emerging treatment strategies, including oral antimicrobial therapy and shortened treatment durations.

Main Results:

  • Evolving understanding of osteomyelitis etiology with increased prevalence of K. kingae and CA-MRSA.
  • Need for optimized diagnostic tools like MRI and serum markers.
  • Emerging treatment paradigms favor early oral step-down therapy and potentially shorter treatment courses.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing diagnostic strategies and adapting to changing pathogens are crucial for managing pediatric osteomyelitis.
  • New therapeutic options are emerging, promising improved management of childhood bacterial bone infections.
  • This review synthesizes current evidence to guide clinical practice in pediatric osteomyelitis.

Related Concept Videos

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: