Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Physeal separation in pediatric osteomyelitis.
Mary R Wyers1, Jonathan D Samet2, Leena B Mithal3
1Department of Medical Imaging, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. mwyers@luriechildrens.org.
Acute pediatric osteomyelitis can cause physeal separation, mimicking trauma. Recognizing this bone infection finding on radiographs is crucial for accurate diagnosis in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Acute osteomyelitis in children is typically hematogenous.
- Diagnosis often involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing marrow signal changes and gadolinium enhancement.
- Imaging detects abscesses requiring orthopedic intervention.
Observation:
- This essay highlights acute pediatric osteomyelitis associated with physeal separation.
- Cases presented showed large subperiosteal fluid collections and significant epiphyseal-metaphyseal separation.
- This finding can be mistaken for traumatic injury in the absence of a trauma history.
Findings:
- Acute osteomyelitis in children can present with physeal separation.
- Subperiosteal fluid collections are a key indicator.
- Radiographs can reveal this separation, aiding diagnosis.
Implications:
- Recognizing physeal separation in pediatric osteomyelitis is vital.
- This radiographic finding can prevent misdiagnosis as simple trauma.
- Early identification ensures appropriate management of bone infections.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Separation of Sister Chromatids
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
Optimizing Chromatographic Separations
Band broadening refers to spreading solute bands as they travel through the column. This broadening can impact resolution. Plate height (H) represents the length required for one theoretical plate. A lower plate height corresponds to...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

