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[Osteomyelitis in the pagetic tibia]

J C Rénier1, L Pidhorz, F Parvery

  • 1Service de Rhumatologie, CHU Angers.

Revue Du Rhumatisme (Ed. Francaise : 1993)
|October 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Osteomyelitis in Paget's bone is rare. This study details three cases of tibia osteomyelitis in Paget's disease patients, often requiring amputation due to persistent infection.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bone Metabolism

Background:

  • Paget's disease of bone is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal bone remodeling.
  • Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, is an exceptionally rare complication in patients with Paget's disease.
  • Previous literature documented only one case of osteomyelitis in pagetic bone.

Observation:

  • This report details the management of three patients presenting with osteomyelitis specifically affecting the tibia in the context of Paget's disease.
  • In all three cases, the initial point of infection was a cutaneous lesion.
  • Microbiological analysis identified Gram-negative organisms in all patients, with one case also involving the anaerobe Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

Findings:

  • Despite treatment, one patient was lost to follow-up before infection resolution.
  • Two patients ultimately required amputation of the affected limb due to persistent infection, following extensive antimicrobial therapy lasting 23 and 4 years, respectively.
  • The findings highlight the challenges in treating osteomyelitis in the unique context of pagetic bone.

Implications:

  • This study underscores the rarity and significant morbidity associated with osteomyelitis in Paget's disease.
  • Effective management strategies for this rare complication remain critical.
  • Further research may be needed to explore optimal treatment protocols for osteomyelitis in pagetic bone to prevent severe outcomes like amputation.

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