Radiology, Vol 131, 83-87, Copyright © 1979 by Radiological Society of North America
Osteomyelitis in a neonatal intensive care unit
PW Brill, P Winchester, AN Krauss and P Symchych
Neonatal osteomyelitis presents with few clinical signs despite multiple
sites of involvement. Four cases of osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus
aureus or Candida albicans were encountered in a neonatal intensive care
unit. Three were unsuspected clinically and were detected as incidental
radiologic findings. The fourth presented with soft-tissue abscesses. Long
bone metaphyses were most frequently affected. Other sites included iliac
bones, clavicles, and spine. On follow-up the bones healed, but one patient
was left with hip deformity secondary to destruction of the cartilaginous
femoral heads and another patient developed obstructive hydrocephalus due
to Candida ventriculitis. Complete skeletal survey is indicated in any
infant with osteomyelitis at one site to seek additional silent areas of
involvement.
