[Invasion of the growth plate by bone tumors and osteomyelitis in childhood].

Crossing of the physis by primarily metaphyseal, localized bone tumors and osteomyelitis in childhood was rarely observed. Therefore, the physis in childhood is considered to be a barrier against the spread of tumors and infection. We report five children, in whom MR imaging demonstrated early crossing of the physis and spread of the disease from the metaphysis to the epiphysis. Follow-up in three children with osteomyelitis showed that antibiotic therapy resulted in almost complete resolution of the changes in the physis, epiphysis and metaphysis. These observations challenge the concept of the physis as a barrier against the spread of tumors and infection.