Abstract

CHAVEZ-LOPEZ, Mario Alfredo; CID-GUERRERO, Dagoberto; MARTINEZ-MEDINA, Lucila  and  MUNOZ-FERNANDEZ, Luis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated osteomyelitis of the patella and septic arthritis of the knee. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.1, pp.32-35. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. Osteomyelitis of the patella is an infrequent infection that predominantly affects children. The most frequent microorganism is Staphylococcus aureus. Diagnosis should be considered in patients with pain and swelling around the patella, cellulitis, prepatellar bursitis (septic or not), and in patients with septic arthritis with no response to the standard treatment. Case report. We report the case of a 14-year-old male patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus with pain and swelling of the left knee after being injured with a sharp metallic object. No response was obtained with oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery, gammagraphy, and musculoskeletal ultrasound, together with the histology, confirmed septic arthritis of the knee and osteomyelitis of the patella due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment with ceftazidime and subsequent ciprofloxacin resulted in total remission of symptoms. Conclusion. A high level of suspicion and an exhaustive approach are required for definitive diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the patella, associated or not with septic arthritis.

Keywords : Osteomyelitis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; septic arthritis; knee.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )