Search

We report two cases of salmonella osteomyelitis isolated to the pelvis in white adolescents aged 12 and 16 years. No underlying medical condition predisposed these children to salmonella osteomyelitis, and the clinical course was prolonged before definitive diagnosis. The key to diagnosis and the localization of the site of the pathologic condition was made from radionuclide studies performed 2-3 weeks from the onset of symptoms. Clinicians should be aware of isolated salmonella osteomyelitis of the pelvis in normal children, especially when imaging studies are normal at initial presentation. Technetium-labeled bone scans may be normal

Pediatric Chance fractures are uncommon injuries. They are the result of a flexion-distraction force applied to the spine, and most commonly occur from motor vehicle accidents in which passengers are wearing lap seat belts as opposed to 3-point restraints with a chest strap. Neurologic injuries are rarely associated with Chance fractures in children, but accompanying intraabdominal injuries are often found and carry a potential for significant morbidity. We present 3 siblings in a minivan who were involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident and as a result of wearing their 3-point restraints improperly, suffered Chance fractures. None had neurologic dysfunction, but 2 had serious intra-abdominal injuries requiring surgical repair. All 3 Chance fractures were treated with cast immobilization. This case report shows the importance of wearing 3-point restraints properly while traveling in a motor vehicle.

We report a multicenter long-term follow-up study of patients with septic arthritis of the hip during infancy or childhood. Group I ("infantile") consisted of patients with onset before age 3 months, and Group II ("childhood") consisted of patients in whom onset occurred after age 3 months. Patients were specifically examined for this review. Generally, patients at follow-up had poor anatomic appearance radiographically and scored poorly on the Harris rating system. However, pain and activity restriction were minimal. Patients who were not treated operatively tended to function better than patients who underwent operative reconstruction.

Summary Nine hips in eight patients were available at a mean follow-up of 31.5 years for participation in a retrospective functional and radiographic analysis for the purpose of examining the late effects of infantile septic hip arthritis in a group untouched by reconstructive hip surgery. Results suggest that reconstructive efforts following hip joint sepsis designed for relocation of an inadequate femoral head for persistent dislocation or for transference of the greater trochanteric epiphysis into the acetabulum may not yield results comparable to nonoperative treatment.