OSTEOMYELITIS OF FEMUR IN A DRUG ADDICTED CHILD

Abstract

One of the serious complicationsrelated to intravenous drug use is osteomyelitis. We report a13-year-old male child with a history of intravenous heroin abuse, who was admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain and pain in the left leg. Anteroposterior roentgenogram and CT scan of the left thigh and femur,confirmed the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Pus culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Despite extensive antibiotic and anticoagulant therapy,the patient’sclinical status improved very slowly. Surgical procedure was not undertaken. Femoral osteomyelitis due to injection drug use in childhood is an extremely rare and uncommoncondition. Intravenous drug abuse, late-onset treatment, and secondary bacterial infection can lead to complications which occurred in the case presented.Itis an extremely difficult condition to treat and is a real challenge for physicians. The rapid response and participation of a multidisciplinary team of physiciansis of particularimportance