A Case of Sclerosing Osteomyelitis of Bilateral Tibia Successively Treated with Open Window Decompression Loaded Antibiotic Slow Release Rods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of sclerosing osteomyelitis (Garré osteomyelitis). The patient was a 48-year-old female who presented 3 months ago with pain in the right lower leg with limitation of movement and significant tibial trunk tenderness, but without fever. The patient was in good general condition, with no localised discharge, and imaging showed disturbed trabecular bone in the tibial stem with periosteal reaction, which was consistent with chronic osteomyelitis of low virulence and slow progression. A curettage of the right tibial stem was performed and secretions were released but resulted in negative cultures. Biopsy was suggestive of infection and inflammation. The etiology was not clear: low virulence bacterial infection was suspected (anaerobes were likely), but cultures were negative. Chronic course maintained by low virulence infection or even after treatment.