OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE ILIUM

Abstract

The differential diagnosis of abdominal pain includes a number of entities, one of which is acute osteomyelitis of the ilium. Von Bergmann,¹in 1906, reported 71 instances of osteomyelitis of the pelvis, thus reflecting the relative incidence of this entity. High mortality was noted. Badgley²reported 24 cases of acute osteomyelitis of the ilium and emphasized the difficult differential diagnosis. This author noted that typhoid fever and tuberculosis, as well as osteomyelitis of the upper third of the femur, were confused with the malady under consideration. Absence of femoral shaft tenderness and inability to move the hip suggest osteomyelitis of the ilium, whereas position of external rotation and abduction of the hip joint suggest involvement of this articular structure. There is little reference in the literature to the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis and osteomyelitis of the ilium. The frequency of involvement of the ilium was calculated in