Pubic pain in children - An unexpected diagnosis

Authors

  • Francisca Dias de Freitas Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7169-639X
  • Liane Moreira Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira
  • Alícia Rebelo Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5713-2333
  • Liliana Macedo Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6223-019X
  • Bárbara Pereira Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v32.i2.20879

Keywords:

acute pelvic osteomyelitis, pubic osteitis, pubic pain, pubic symphysis

Abstract

Osteoarticular pain is common in pediatric age, and despite its mostly benign etiology, a complete diagnostic approach is essential. The authors describe the case of a previously healthy nine-year-old child with pain in the bilateral adductor region and claudication with 15 days of evolution associated with fever and pubic pain for seven days. The initial study revealed elevated inflammatory markers. Subsequent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed pubic osteitis associated with pubic body osteomyelitis complicated with a right adductor abscess.
With this case, the authors intend to highlight that, although acute osteomyelitis in pediatric patients generally affects the long bones, acute axial skeletal osteomyelitis, namely pelvic, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with pubic pain. In addition, early diagnosis minimizes local and distant complications and short- and long-term sequelae.

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References

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Published

2023-09-14

How to Cite

1.
Freitas F, Moreira L, Rebelo A, Macedo L, Pereira B. Pubic pain in children - An unexpected diagnosis. REVNEC [Internet]. 2023Sep.14 [cited 2025Jan.30];32(2):116-21. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/20879

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Francisca Dias de Freitas, Liane Moreira, Alícia Rebelo, Liliana Macedo, Bárbara Pereira

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