Pseudomonas infection of the sternum and costal cartilages. Report of three cases. 1978

D R Miller, and K Murphy, and T Cesario

Pseudomonas osteochondritis of the chest wall and sternum has rarely been reported, but when present it has been extremely difficult to eradicate. Multiple operations to debride the involved areas and use of antibiotics have often been inadequate to control this resistant infection. This report describes our experience with three patients who had the late development of Pseudomonas osteochondritis of the chest wall. The infection occurred following crush trauma, sternotomy for congenital heart disease, and mastectomy and amputation of the upper extremity for carcinoma of the breast. Antibiotic therapy alone and with limited operations was unsuccessful in controlling the infection in all three instances. Eventually, each patient required extensive regional surgical removal of involved bone and cartilage. Complete healing followed. Our experience favors the early wide removal of bony and cartilaginous tissues in the involved region with preoperative and postoperative coverage by appropriate antibiotics. Operative management is detailed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010007 Osteochondritis Inflammation of a bone and its overlaying CARTILAGE. Meniscitis,Meniscitides,Osteochondritides
D011552 Pseudomonas Infections Infections with bacteria of the genus PSEUDOMONAS. Infections, Pseudomonas,Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection,Infection, Pseudomonas,Pseudomonas Infection,Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012253 Rib Fractures Fractures of any of the RIBS. Fracture, Rib,Fractures, Rib,Rib Fracture
D013249 Sternum A long, narrow, and flat bone commonly known as BREASTBONE occurring in the midsection of the anterior thoracic segment or chest region, which stabilizes the rib cage and serves as the point of origin for several muscles that move the arms, head, and neck.
D013898 Thoracic Injuries General or unspecified injuries to the chest area. Chest Injuries,Injuries, Chest,Injuries, Thoracic,Chest Injury,Injury, Chest,Injury, Thoracic,Thoracic Injury
D014946 Wound Infection Invasion of a wound by pathogenic microorganisms. Infection, Wound,Infections, Wound,Wound Infections

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