| The Clinical Aspects of Septic Arthritis in Children |
|
Milim Koo, Dongsoo Kim |
|
Depratment of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea |
| 소아기 급성 화농성 관절염의 임상적 고찰 |
|
구미림, 김동수 |
|
연세대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실 |
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Purpose
: Acute septic arthritis in infancy and childhood is uncommon. Delay of diagnosis
and inappropriate treatment of septic arthritis results in permanent physical sequelae. We
studied the initial treatment, clinical manifestations, involved sites, and etiologic organisms
of septic arthritis.
Methods
: We reviewed 74 patients who were diagnosed septic arthritis in Departments
of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine from
July 1986 to Sep. 1995.
Results
:
1) Seventy-four children in the treatment group comprised of 48 males and 26 females.
The age distribution is : 21 cases of neonates(28%), 19 cases of infants(26%), and 34
cases of children under 15 years.
2) The frequently involved sites were : 34 cases of hip joint(45%), 28 cases of knee
joint (37%), 8 cases of shoulder joint(10%), 4 cases of elbow joint(5%), and 2 cases of
ankle joint (3%). In two cases, two joints were involved simultaneously.
3) On imaging studies, 37.8%(28/74) of all cases had abnormal X-ray findings initially.
Bone scan were done in 43 cases(58.1%). Half of these cases(22/43) had abnormal,
increased uptake in involved joint during the third hospital day through seventh.
4) There were some predisposing factors. : respiratory tract infection(63.5%), trauma
(6.8%), sepsis(8.1%), congenital hip dislocation(1/74). However, there were no specific
problems in 15 cases.
5) Major complaints of patients were : limitation of motion, fever, local swelling, pain,
tenderness, erythema, irritability, and heating sensation, etc.
6) Sixty-three cases had bacterial growth, either from blood or wound. Wounds
cultures were positive in 23 cases. : S. aureus(13/23), Streptococcus (6/23).
The combination of incision & drainage, irrigation, intravenous antibiotics and traction
were therapeutic modalities. Antibiotics used were cephalosporins and vancomycin.
Conclusions
: Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the permanent
sequelae of septic arthritis. In cases presenting with limitation of motion, fever, or pain
with or without abnormal radiologic findings, septic arthritis should be ruled out. |
| Key Words:
Septic arthritis, Children |
|
PDF Links
Download Citation
