Osteomyelitis of the pubis. Report of seven cases

Abstract

Seven cases of osteomyelitis of the pubis are reported. Predisposing factors leading to osteomyelitis included parenteral drug abuse in six patients and pelvic surgery in one patient. The average duration of symptoms before diagnosis was three weeks. Needle aspiration of the symphysis pubis was performed in five patients, and culture results were positive in three of them. Two patients with negative cultures of needle aspirates had positive cultures from open biopsy specimens of the symphysis pubis. Blood cultures were done in all patients, and results were positive in two of them. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the responsible pathogen in five patients, Escherichia coli in one, and Staphylococcus aureus in one. Most patients required several weeks of antibiotic therapy. None required surgical debridement.