Distal Tibial Osteomyelitis in a Pediatric Patient: A Radiological-Oriented Case Report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Osteomyelitis is a serious pediatric bone infection, often hematogenous in origin and primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl with persistent left ankle pain misdiagnosed initially as a sprain. Imaging played a crucial role in diagnosis: ultrasound revealed soft tissue edema, CT scan showed metaphyseal changes suggestive of chronic osteomyelitis, and MRI confirmed a medullary abscess with physeal involvement. The patient received empirical IV antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone and clindamycin) and underwent surgical debridement. Her clinical course was favorable with complete resolution. This case highlights the importance of radiological staging in pediatric osteomyelitis diagnosis. MRI proved the most sensitive tool for assessing bone marrow edema and soft tissue extension. In low-resource settings, a stepwise imaging approach, guided by clinical context, enables accurate diagnosis. The radiologist’s active role in interdisciplinary decision-making was pivotal for timely treatment, preventing chronic complications and long-term sequelae.
Authors: Dany Daniel Pech Pech, Jazmín Del Carmen González Mora, Ramiro Aguilar Acuña, Sarahí Chávez Soriano, María Fernanda Ibarra Guerrero, Alexis Emir Noguera Echeverría, Franco Cetina Garrido, Carlos Arón Loeza Durán, Dulce Iliana Aline Torres Luna, Ambar Sahian Domínguez de la Cruz, Erendira Helena Reyes Koyoc, Nadia Fernanda Cortés Galván, Yulia D'Grecia Jiménez Almanza
Institutions: Autonomous University of Yucatán, Servicios de Salud del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social para el Bienestar, Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers, Anahuac Mayab University, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Universidad para el Bienestar Benito Juárez García, Universidad Anáhuac, Universidad Anáhuac de Cancún
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7106809344
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