Early detection of subperiosteal abscesses by ultrasonography. A means for further successful treatment in pediatric osteomyelitis.

Subperiosteal abscess (SA) is a well-known complication of osteomyelitis (OM) in children. The efficiency of treatment of OM with this complication is dependent on early drainage of the abscess. We present a prospective study of 32 children with clinical suspicion of OM. Ultrasonography detected SA in 13 of these children. In nine cases OM with SA was confirmed surgically and in the remaining four other radiographic modalities and/or blood cultures supported the sonographic diagnosis. In the remaining 19 cases, OM without SA was the final diagnosis.