Hematogenous osteomyelitis. Untangling the diagnostic confusion.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis is a disease of children which if diagnosed accurately and treated promptly will result in neither loss of life nor loss of function. Aggressive aspiration and biopsy yields a high rate of positive cultures. Oral antibiotics have a role in the treatment of osteomyelitis if monitoring can assure bactericidal levels and if 100% compliance is insured. Aggressive aspiration and biopsy to increase diagnostic accuracy is an important aspect of therapy.