[Sternal osteomyelitis]

The authors present data based on the analysis of diagnosis and treatment of 11 patients with sternal osteomyelitis which in 9 patients was of traumatic origin and in 2 was hematogenous. Early diagnosis is difficult. Clinical manifestations and roentgenography of the sternum are essential for diagnosis. In combined treatment of osteomyelitis preference is given to radical removal of osteomyelitic masses within healthy tissues with tamponade of the residual osteal cavity by local tissues.