Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis

Abstract

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis was first described in 1972 and to date 33 cases have been reported, all but one from outside the United States. This unusual osteomyelitis is characteristically recurrent and multifocal with a predilection for the metaphyses. Cultures are persistently negative and antibiotics do not appear to affect the course of the disease, which may be as long as 15 years. Females are affected twice as frequently as males and half the cases are less than ten years old. Antistreptolysin 0 titers are elevated in a quarter of the patients, and there may be a history of previous throat infection. There is an association with pustulosis palmoplantaris. We present two additional cases from the United States.