Bone abscess

The bone abscess

Abscesses of the bone (bone abscess) are also known as osteomyelitis. A distinction is made here between an endogenous and an exogenous form. The endogenous form is caused by bacteria (especially staphylococci, Pseudomonas and Proteus) from the blood side, i.e. by bacteria in the blood. The exogenous form usually comes about after fractures or injuries to the soft tissue. Bacteria can then migrate into the bone through this trauma opening and lead to a bone abscess. The endogenous form is found mainly in adolescents (up to 16 years of age), while adults are less likely to develop the endogenous form.

For more information on the topic of bone abscess, see the main article Abscess.

Symptoms of a bone abscess

The patients with an acute bone abscess usually complain of chills, high fever and high white blood cell counts as well as a so-called left shift (more young and immature blood cells). There is also a local tenderness at the site of the abscess and an accompanying doughy swelling of the surrounding tissue. With chronic abscesses there is a risk of fistula formation. In this case, the patient's complaints are usually not as acute as in the acute form.

diagnosis

First of all, the blood count gives an initial indication of the severity of the disease. During the Rise in fever one should take blood cultures to possibly one appropriate germ detection to win. A X-ray The slight lightening of the corresponding bone can indicate a bone abscess (usually at the beginning of an illness). The further a bone abscess progresses, the more The bone structure appears more relaxed in the appropriate place. Furthermore, a Ultrasonic, a MRI or a skeletal scintigraphy can be performed. A smear can also be carried out during an operation in order to obtain appropriate germs.

Therapy for a bone abscess

The bone abscess can be treated conservatively as well as surgically. Conservative therapy consists of immobilizing the extremity, cooling, and administering broad spectrum antibiotics. First of all, the abscess cavity is surgically located and incised, then the abscess cavity is cleared out (read also: Surgery of an abscess). Before the evacuation, a wound swab can be carried out in order to obtain a corresponding proof of germs. Then the wound is rinsed several times and a wound drainage is inserted. Then the systematic antibiosis is carried out for several weeks.

Read more on this topic at: Treatment of an abscess

Complications from a bone abscess

First of all, there is a risk that an acute abscess will develop into a chronic form that keeps returning and has to be operated on several times. After surgical removal of the abscess, inflammation, wound healing disorders and postoperative infections can occur, which make repeat operations necessary. In extreme individual cases it may be necessary to amputate the affected limb in order to protect the body from life-threatening blood poisoning.