Osteomyelitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is the most common causative organism of hematogenous osteomyelitis in adults?
A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Streptococcus pyogenes
D. Escherichia coli
E. Enterococcus faecalis
Answer and topic summary
The answer is B. Staphylococcus aureus
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone (acute or chronic). The bone can get infected either directly from trauma/surgery, via bacteremic seeding from a distant infection, or from the spread of infection from nearby tissue. Risk factors include: age, obesity, immunocompromised state, and diabetes. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of hematogenous osteomyelitis in adults. Clinical features include: fever, nausea, malaise, bone pain / tenderness, etc. In adults, the spine is most often impacted (usually related to sacral or decubitus ulcer). The best diagnostic test is an MRI. ESR and CRP are sensitive, but non-specific for the diagnosis. Management includes a long course of antibiotics and surgical debridement of the bone.
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Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Musculoskeletal ⇒ ⇒
