Chronic progressive osteoblastic osteomyelitis: a new approach to treatment

The clinical, histologic and radiographic picture in 16 cases in 15 patients with nonfistulating chronic progressive osteoblastic osteomyelitis of a long tubular bone which started in childhood is presented. All patients had severe pain at rest or weightbearing. Histology showed an increase of active osteoblasts. Low virulent bacteria were found in one-fourth of the patients. To reduce the osteoblastic activity, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory treatment was combined with surgical and antibiotic treatment. Eleven patients were pain-free at follow-up (average 47 months), 3 had reduced pain, and 1 patient did not respond to treatment.