Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
[Primary chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible in children: etiology and diagnostics]
A Yu Kugushev1, A V Lopatin2, S Dagher2
1Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia.
Insights
Primary chronic osteomyelitis (PCO) is a rare autoinflammatory bone disease primarily affecting children. Diagnosis involves excluding other conditions through imaging, clinical evaluation, and biopsy, as presented in this review.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rheumatology
- Orthopedic surgery
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Primary chronic osteomyelitis (PCO) is a rare, non-bacterial autoinflammatory condition.
- It predominantly affects children aged 7-12 years, but can occur in adults.
- Lesions commonly impact long bones but can affect any skeletal site, including the jaw.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation of PCO.
- To discuss suggested etiologies of PCO from existing literature.
- To outline current diagnostic methodologies for PCO.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PCO cases and research.
- Analysis of clinical manifestations and patient demographics.
- Evaluation of diagnostic criteria and exclusion methods.
Main Results:
- PCO presents with complex symptoms mimicking bone tumors, often delaying diagnosis.
- Diagnosis relies on excluding other pathologies using a combination of imaging, clinical data, and histology.
- This article focuses on Part 1: clinical presentation, proposed causes, and diagnostic approaches.
Conclusions:
- Accurate and timely diagnosis of PCO is challenging due to its varied presentation.
- A comprehensive diagnostic strategy excluding other bone lesions is crucial.
- Understanding PCO's clinical features and diagnostic pathways is vital for effective management.
Abstract:
Primary chronic osteomyelitis (PCO) is a rare non-bacterial autoinflammatory severe disease that most often affects children aged 7 to 12 years and is much less common in adults. The most common areas of lesion are long tubular bones, however, any bones of the skeleton, including the lower jaw, can be affected. The clinical picture of this disease is complex and similar to many tumor and tumor-like bone lesions, which often leads to a significant delay in making a correct diagnosis. The diagnosis of primary chronic osteomyelitis is primarily based on the exclusion of other diseases by comparing the data of radiation diagnosis, clinical course and histological examination of biopsy material. In this article, which is part 1 of a two-part series, the authors review the clinical presentation of PCO, its suggested causes found in the literature, and current diagnostic methods.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction