Changing profile of haematogenous osteomyelitis in a teaching hospital

A total of 155 consecutive patients of osteomyelitis were studied clinically, radiologically and bacteriologically. The follow up ranged from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 yr (average 3.5 yr). Age varied from 8 months to 50 yr. Onset of the disease was acute in 106 and insidious in 49 patients. Of these 116 cases were treated conservatively which include 12 treated by incision and drainage. The rest underwent surgery (saucerization, curettage, sequestrectomy etc.). There was a trend for osteomyelitis to shift from the known incidence in early age to adulthood, acute to insidious onset and infection by Gram positive to Gram negative organisms.