Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis of the patella revealed by a pathological fracture in multiple myeloma.

Abstract

A 57-year-old man was followed up for multiple myeloma with no lytic bone lesions. During a septicaema, he presented with a pathological fracture of the patella. Despite a poor haematological status, he received surgical treatment, which allowed diagnosis of haematogenous osteomyelitis of the patella. The outcome was favourable, with a 6-week plaster immobilization after cerclage and 4 months of intravenous antibiotic therapy. This case emphasizes the fact that one well-known cause of bone lesions may lead to an erroneous diagnosis. The successful clinical course suggests that accurate therapeutic management may be discussed in haematological malignancies when intensive-care support is available.