Pediatric Chronic Fibular Pandiaphyseal Osteomyelitis: Case Report with Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Chronic Osteomyelitis is a devastating infection causing severe disability in the pediatric population due to its often late presentation. Fibular osteomyelitis is relatively uncommon, with only a few documented reports worldwide. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 9-year old male presenting with left leg pain subsequently diagnosed to have chronic pandiaphyseal osteomyelitis of the fibula, who was then treated with En bloc resection and culture guided antibiotic therapy for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Full functional recovery of the left leg was noted at two weeks follow-up with normal infection markers after four weeks. Conclusion: Diffuse osteomyelitis of long bones are a challenge to treat, as the gold standard of sequestrectomy and debridement may result to poor limb function. Chronic fibular osteomyelitis may be treated just like a tumor of the fibula, wherein en bloc resection can result to good functional outcome.