Risa Reid1, R Randall McKnight1, Eric Secrist1, Christian Clark2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. 2. Orthocarolina Pediatric Orthopaedic Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Abstract
CASE: A 13-year-old boy presented with 3 weeks of atraumatic left-sided sternoclavicular (SC) joint pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion. After imaging and laboratory workup, he underwent operative irrigation, debridement, and antibiotic therapy with complete resolution of his symptoms. Surgical cultures were consistent with SC septic arthritis. CONCLUSION: The management of septic arthritis in pediatric patients remains varied. Here, we present the only report of SC septic arthritis due to Cutibacterium acnes in a healthy pediatric patient. Given the similar clinical findings of pain and swelling to affected bones and joints, differentiating SC septic arthritis from other conditions within the clinical spectrum of chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis remains challenging. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when patients present with pain and swelling over the SC joint.
CASE: A 13-year-old boy presented with 3 weeks of atraumatic left-sided sternoclavicular (SC) joint pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion. After imaging and laboratory workup, he underwent operative irrigation, debridement, and antibiotic therapy with complete resolution of his symptoms. Surgical cultures were consistent with SC septic arthritis. CONCLUSION: The management of septic arthritis in pediatric patients remains varied. Here, we present the only report of SC septic arthritis due to Cutibacterium acnes in a healthy pediatric patient. Given the similar clinical findings of pain and swelling to affected bones and joints, differentiating SC septic arthritis from other conditions within the clinical spectrum of chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis remains challenging. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when patients present with pain and swelling over the SC joint.
Authors: Elizabeth M Benson; Ezan A Kothari; Timothy W Torrez; Michael J Conklin; Stephanie Berger; Kevin A Williams Journal: J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev Date: 2022-09-27