A child with suspected acute haematogenous osteomyelitis has a normal plain radiograph on day 3 of symptoms. When are the earliest radiographic changes of acute osteomyelitis expected to appear?
- A After 10 to 14 days ✓
- B Within 24 to 48 hours
- C After 4 to 6 weeks
- D Radiographic changes never appear if treatment is started early
Correct answer: A. After 10 to 14 days
Explanation
Plain radiographs require loss of roughly 30 to 50 percent of bone mineral before lysis becomes visible, so soft tissue swelling appears first and lytic destruction and periosteal reaction take 10 to 14 days to become evident. This lag means a normal early film never excludes osteomyelitis, and MRI should be used when clinical suspicion persists.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.