JUVENILE HEMATOGENOUS OSTEOMYELITIS IN THE DOG

Juvenile hematogenous osteomyelitis is described in 3 young dogs with severe lameness caused by infection in growthplate areas. The unusual findings on the radiographs are compared with the histopathological findings. Due to the specific reaction in the bone the findings are called juvenile hematogenous osteomyelitis. The lesion is observed a few days after onset of the infection on the radiographs as a radiolucent area without sclerotic rings in the metaphysis/epiphysis. This radiolucent area is normalized and at the same time a characteristic periosteal reaction is observed, growing towards the diaphysis and even the other end of the bone in spite of heavy antibiotic treatment. In 1 of the cases the infection is spread from the epiphysis through the physis into the metaphysis following the pathological presence of bloodvessels as observed in serial sections of the physis.