[Osteitis due to anaerobic Corynebacteria in children. Apropos of 4 cases]

The authors have seen four instances in children of osteitis due to a mycobacterium. The disease was subacute and situated in the tibia, the lumbar spine, the talus and the femur. In two cases the diagnosis was eventually mistakenly oriented towards tuberculosis or a malignant tumour. The correct diagnosis was obtained after a bone biopsy which demonstrated a granulomatous osteitis. In such cases there is an indication for a full biopsy and bacteriological examination with culture in aerobic and anaerobic media. Treatment based on pristinamycin resulted in healing.