Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, usually caused by bacteria. It can develop when microbes reach bone through the bloodstream, nearby tissue, or direct contamination.

Staphylococcus aureus: A bacterium that commonly colonizes skin and causes infections, including many cases of osteomyelitis. It is the leading cause of acute bacterial osteomyelitis.
Magnetic resonance imaging: An imaging method that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body. It can detect marrow changes and define the extent of infection early.
Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis: A rapidly developing bone infection caused by pathogens carried to bone through the bloodstream. This common form often affects children and long bones.
Osteitis: Inflammation of bone, which may occur with or without infection. The term overlaps with bone infection but does not always imply a microbial cause.
Hematogenous spread: The spread of pathogens through the bloodstream from one body site to another. Bloodborne seeding is a common route of bone infection, especially in children.
Bone biopsy: A procedure that removes a sample of bone for laboratory examination. Cultures from bone can identify the pathogen and guide targeted antibiotics.
Chronic osteomyelitis: Persistent or recurrent bone infection, often involving dead bone and sinus tracts. It illustrates how infection can persist despite treatment and damaged blood supply.
Osteonecrosis: Death of bone tissue caused by inadequate blood supply or other injury. It can produce dead bone like osteomyelitis, but infection is not its defining cause.
Biofilm: A structured community of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix attached to a surface. Biofilms on bone or implants can shield bacteria from immunity and antibiotics.
Blood culture: A laboratory test that detects microorganisms in a blood sample. It can reveal the cause when bone infection has spread into the bloodstream.

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