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| ==History and Symptoms== | | ==History and Symptoms== |
| Generally, microorganisms may infect bone through one or more of three basic methods: via the [[bloodstream]], contiguously from local areas of infection (as in [[cellulitis]]), or penetrating [[Physical trauma|trauma]], including [[iatrogenic]] causes such as [[joint replacement]]s or internal fixation of [[Bone fracture|fracture]]s or [[endodontic therapy|root-canaled]] teeth. Once the bone is infected, [[leukocyte]]s enter the infected area, and in their attempt to [[phagocytosis|engulf]] the infectious organisms, release [[enzyme]]s that [[Lysis|lyse]] the bone. [[Pus]] spreads into the bone's blood vessels, impairing their flow, and areas of devitalized infected bone, known as sequestra, form the basis of a chronic infection. Often, the body will try to create new bone around the area of [[necrosis]]. The resulting new bone is often called an [[involucrum]]. On [[histology|histologic]] examination, these areas of necrotic bone are the basis for distinguishing between [[Acute (medicine)|acute]] osteomyelitis and [[wikt:chronic|chronic]] osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infective process which encompasses all of the bone ([[wikt:osseous|osseous]]) components, including the bone marrow. When it is chronic it can lead to bone [[sclerosis]] and deformity.
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| In [[infant]]s, the infection can spread to the [[joint]] and cause [[arthritis]]. In children, large subperiosteal abscesses can form because the [[periosteum]] is loosely attached to the surface of the bone.
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| Because of the particulars of their blood supply, the [[tibia]], [[femur]], [[humerus]], [[vertebra]], the [[maxilla]], and the mandibular bodies are especially susceptible to osteomyelitis. However, abscesses of any bone may be precipitated by trauma to the affected area. Many infections are caused by ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]'', a member of the normal [[flora (microbiology)|flora]] found on the [[skin]] and [[mucous membrane]]s.
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| * Hematogenous long-bone osteomyelitis | | * Hematogenous long-bone osteomyelitis |
| :* Abrupt onset of high [[fever]] (fever is present in only 50% of neonates with osteomyelitis) | | :* Abrupt onset of high [[fever]] (fever is present in only 50% of neonates with osteomyelitis) |