Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: a rare skeletal disorder

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare non-infectious inflammatory bone disease of unknown aetiology. CRMO mainly affects the metaphyses of long bones and spine in children and young adolescents. It presents with recurrent episodes of bone pain and fever, resembling bacterial osteomyelitis, but cultures of lesions are sterile and it is unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. We report a case of a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with CRMO, who was initially treated for bacterial osteomyelitis, and received prolonged antibiotic therapy for chronic pain, and swelling of mandible and ulna. CRMO should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of chronic bone pain and osteomyelitis unresponsive to antibiotic treatment.