Musculoskeletal ImagingStreptococcus
a Gram-positive coccus that frequently causes infections that have musculoskeletal effects.
In infants, haemolytic streptococci are an important factor in neonatal or infantile osteomyelitis (Fig.1). Infection of a single bone is most frequent, especially the humerus. Lytic lesions with mild or absent sclerosis and periostitis can be seen.
Septic arthritis from anaerobic streptococci contaminating soft tissue wounds and fractures may occur and lead to a crepitant myositis.
The organisms causing pneumonia, formerly termed pneumococci, are now recognized to be members of the streptococcus genus. Infections of the lungs and upper respiratory tract predominate, but arthritis may also occur. The knee is involved most commonly.
DR/RB
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a. AP radiograph of the shoulder in a 5 week-old neonate demonstrates an osteolytic lesion in the proximal metaphysis of the humerus without sclerosis or periostitis.
b. Coronal T2-weighted MR images demonstrate increased signal intensity within the proximal humerus and adjacent soft tissues owing to streptococcus osteomyelitis.
(Courtesy of Randall Sticknehy, MD, Tulsa, Oklaholma)
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Streptococcus, Fig.1 (a) | | Streptococcus, Fig.1 (b) | | Streptococcus, Fig.1 (c) |