Pediatric Sciatic Neuropathy Secondary to Subacute Ischial Osteomyelitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Sciatic neuropathy (SN) is rarely encountered in the pediatric population. The causes of this mononeuropathy are either infectious, immune mediated, toxic, or infiltrative (tumoral). In this article, we presented the case of a 7.5-year-old male child who presented to the emergency department with a painful right lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis of the ischium, which extended toward the external hip rotators and infiltrated the tissues around the sciatic nerve. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics (flucloxacillin 50 mg/kg/d and gentamicin 10 mg/kg/d) rapidly improved the child's condition and relieved neurological symptoms within a few days. Traumatic and iatrogenic injuries are the most common causes for SN. To our knowledge, this presented case is the first to describe SN due to an infectious process following subacute osteomyelitis.

Keywords

sciatic neuropathy - osteomyelitis - pediatric - lower limb - ischium

Publication History

Received: 02 September 2021

Accepted: 05 October 2021

Article published online:
16 November 2021

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