In chronic osteomyelitis, the dead bone sequestrum is surrounded by which structure that represents the body's attempt to wall off infection?
- A Involucrum ✓
- B Cloaca
- C Sinus
- D Brodie's abscess wall
Correct answer: A. Involucrum
Explanation
In chronic osteomyelitis, the body attempts to contain infection by forming new bone — the involucrum — around the dead avascular sequestrum. The involucrum has perforations called cloacae through which pus and bone debris discharge to the surface via sinuses. Surgical treatment (sequestrectomy) involves excising the sequestrum through a window cut in the involucrum to allow drainage and obliteration of dead space.
Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.