Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: a distinct clinical entity.

We reviewed the cases of five children with the diagnosis of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) and compared and contrasted them to 11 cases of subacute osteomyelitis. Significant differences were found between these two groups in the number of cases with positive biopsy cultures, number of clinical episodes, and number of bones involved. In CRMO, cultures are negative, and recurrent clinical episodes involve different bones at different times. The data indicate that CRMO is a distinct clinical entity, different from subacute osteomyelitis; it is a benign, self-limiting inflammatory disease of bone, and no chronic problems have occurred as a result of CRMO. Restraint in antibiotic treatment and in performing repeated biopsies is indicated in CRMO.