Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis
The word “osteomyelitis” originates from the ancient Greek words osteon (bone) and
muelinos (marrow) and means infection of medullary portion of the bone.
It can therefore be considered as an inflammatory condition of the bone,
beginning in the medullar cavity and haversian systems and extending to involve the
periosteum of the affected area. The infection becomes established in calcified portion of
the bone when pus and edema in the medullary cavity and beneath the periosteum
compromises or obstructs the local blood supply. Following ischemia, the infected bone
becomes necrotic and leads to sequester formation, which is considered a classical sign
of osteomyelitis.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a very serious microbial infection of bone marrow that can cause
destruction of large sections of the jaw and be difficult to cure.
Etiology: Osteomyelitis is caused by virulent organisms and/or decreased
immunologic responses. Bacterial infection as result of untreated pulpal and/or
periapical infection. Also, infected wound and septic focous through blood stream.
An impaired immunologic defence is responsible. Patients who have impaired
immunologic defences are said to be "immunocompromised.“ There are a number
of situations that produce immunocompromised patients. Some diseases (e.g., HIV
infection) and some treatments (e.g., cancer chemotherapy) may produce
immunocompromised patients.
Clinically:
Osteomyelitis of the jaws, more commonly affects the mandible
rather than the maxilla, probably the maxilla's excellent blood
supply is the difference. There may be painful swelling of the
mandible and suppurative drainage into the oral cavity. There is
usually constitutional manifestations such as: malaise (discomfort),
pain, fever, and leukocytosis.
Radiographic features: