Osteomyelitis of the pelvis in children.

We reviewed the records of sixteen patients with osteomyelitis of the pelvis, all of whom were fifteen years old or younger. Eleven of the patients were followed for an average of 3.5 years (range, two to nine years). Pelvic osteomyelitis in children is an uncommon lesion. Review of the literature gives the impression that this lesion is usually diagnosed late in its course and requires surgical drainage for adequate treatment. The role of the technetium bone scan in making an early diagnosis is important. All of the patients in this series were treated with antibiotic therapy alone, and surgical drainage was not found to be necessary. All of the patients who were followed for at least two years had no recurrence and no permanent sequelae.