[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in infants (author's transl)].

Clinical and laboratory data are frequently unspecific in acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of infants. As prognosis is dependent on early treatment, a timely radiologic diagnosis is mandatory. Because of specialties in the vascular supply, the roentgenmorphologic alterations of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in infants differ from the appearance of the disease in other age groups. The acute osteomyelitis in infants frequently leads to destruction of the epiphysis and purulent joint effusion. A subtle analysis of soft tissue lesions will already rise suspicion for acute hematogenous osteomyelitis before destructive or reactive osseous alterations prove the diagnosis by roentgenology. Nuclear medicine examinations of the bone have contributed significantly to radiologic diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in infants despite of few negative results. Osseous trauma and other diseases should be included in differential diagnosis. Especially in neonatals and premature infants, variations in the typical course and appearance of the disease may occur.