Subacute Osteomyelitis Masquerading as Primary Bone Sarcoma: Report of Six Cases

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

We report a series of six immunocompetent patients who were believed initially to have primary bone sarcomas, but turned out to have subacute osteomyelitis.

Methods:

Case report and review of relevant literature.

Results:

All our patients were treated with antibiotics and recovered fully from the infection. Only one patient had a recurrence with the same offending microorganism, which resolved after a longer period of intravenous antibiotic.

Conclusions:

Subacute osteomyelitis and bone tumors can be similar in presentation, and the key to proper diagnosis is histopathological and microbiological confirmation in biopsy specimens.