Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis with Non-Contiguous Involvement of the Spine: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Case Report | Volume 12 | Issue 1 | January-April 2026 | Page: 12-15 | S Kailash, Vijaysriram
DOI- https://doi.org/10.13107/ijpo.2026.v12.i01.258
Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2026; The Author(s).
Submitted: 30/09/2025; Reviewed: 21/10/2025; Accepted: 09/12/2025; Published: 10/02/2026
Authors: S Kailash MS Ortho [1], Vijaysriram MS Ortho [1]
[1] Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Kanchi Kamakoti Child trust Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Address of Correspondence
Dr. S.Kailash,
Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Kanchi Kamakoti Child trust Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: kailasdoc2989@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis that affects children and adolescents.
Case Presentation: A 9-year-old previously healthy boy initially presented with vague abdominal pain, for which he was investigated but no active intervention was undertaken. There was increasing pain and deformity over the back noted a week later.
CT thorax was performed to identify the lesion in the rib and an open biopsy was done (resection of diseased rib and transverse process). Biopsy report was suggestive of chronic non-infective osteomyelitis (CRMO). A whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an additional lesion in the right acetabulum. There was significant relief of symptoms with oral naproxen and intravenous Zoledronate.
At 15 years of age, there was no pain or deformity in the spine and vertebral lesion had reconstituted. The patient was asymptomatic.
Conclusion: CRMO is an under-diagnosed condition. A delay in the diagnosis can result in morbidity in the form of prolonged antibiotic therapy and multiple invasive investigations (biopsy). In most cases, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. This case of a boy with CRMO with main involvement of the spine is presented for its rarity.
Keywords: CRMO, Spine, Zolendronate, Osteomyelitis.
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| How to Cite this Article: Kailash S, Vijaysriram. Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis with Non-Contiguous Involvement of the Spine: A Case Report and Review of Literature. International Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics. January-April 2026; 12(1): 12-15. |
