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Femoral osteomyelitis after tooth extraction
1Greater Sacramento Medical Group, California, USA.
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|October 3, 1998
Summary
Hemophilus aphrophilus, a common oral bacterium, can cause severe femoral osteomyelitis, particularly after dental procedures. This insidious bone infection occurs due to the bacteria
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Hemophilus aphrophilus is a commensal bacterium found in the oropharynx of up to 35% of healthy individuals.
- Systemic infections caused by H. aphrophilus are rare, but it has been implicated in spinal osteomyelitis.
- The organism possesses an intrinsic ability to inhibit leukocyte function, contributing to its pathogenicity.
Observation:
- A case of severe femoral osteomyelitis following a dental extraction is presented.
- The patient's presentation was insidious, characteristic of osseous infections caused by H. aphrophilus.
- The infection involved the femur, a large long bone susceptible to hematogenous or contiguous spread.
Findings:
- The study describes a rare instance of severe femoral osteomyelitis caused by Hemophilus aphrophilus.
- The infection developed subsequent to a dental extraction procedure.
- The insidious nature of the infection highlights the challenges in early diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for H. aphrophilus to cause severe bone infections, even in immunocompetent individuals.
- Dental procedures may represent a risk factor for H. aphrophilus osteomyelitis.
- Increased awareness among clinicians is necessary for the timely diagnosis and management of H. aphrophilus-related osteomyelitis.