Osteomyelitis
Most common causative agent of pyogenic osteomyelitis is
What our notes say
- Most common causative agent of pyogenic osteomyelitis is (General Pathology MCQs: Fixatives, FNA, Endocrine & ARDS)
- Chronic osteomyelitis can form a sinus tract (a channel to the skin surface) containing a piece of dead bone (Bone & Soft Tissue Tumour Pathology: Must-Know Diagnoses)
- A patient with chronic osteomyelitis develops a fragment of devitalised bone within a draining sinus tract. (Master Bone & Soft Tissue Pathology: CAT 2 MCQs & Answers)
- Clinical relevance: chronic infections (TB, osteomyelitis) and inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis) predispose to AA amyloidosis (General Pathology Revision: Cell Injury, Inflammation & Adaptation (MBPA 3500 Pa)
- Infection can spread to adjacent bone (e.g., frontal bone osteomyelitis — Pott's puffy tumour). (Head & Neck Pathology MCQs: Oral, Ear, Throat & Gland Tumors)
- Chronic osteomyelitis → systemic complication with renal dysfunction from protein deposition. (Bone & Soft Tissue Pathology: Cases, Tumors, & Answers)
Study material on Osteomyelitis
- Bone & Soft Tissue Pathology: Cases, Tumors, & Answers
- Bone & Joint Pathology: Basic Structure, Cells, and Fractures
- Master Bone & Soft Tissue Pathology: CAT 2 MCQs & Answers
- Head & Neck Pathology MCQs: Oral, Ear, Throat & Gland Tumors
- Infectious Arthritis: Bacterial, TB & Viral Joint Infections
Practice questions on Osteomyelitis
Mycobacterial osteomyelitis
- Organisms are almost always blood-borne
- Affects a large number of patients with pulmonary TB
- Is the most common type of osteomyelitis
- Direct extension to the bones is the most common mode of infection
- Main bones involved are the long bones ✅ Answer: B
Answer: A. Mycobacterial osteomyelitis is often associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, affecting a significant number of those patients.
A patient with chronic osteomyelitis develops a fragment of devitalised bone within a draining sinus tract. What is the term for this dead fragment of bone?
- Involucrum
- Pannus
- Sequestrum
- Osteophyte
- Tophus ✅ Answer: C
Answer: A. A sequestrum is a fragment of devitalized bone that has separated from healthy bone, typically seen in chronic osteomyelitis.