Squamous cell carcinoma complicating
chronic osteomyelitis
Matthew L.Costa†, Christopher Ingham†, Ian Seddon‡
and V. Shiv Shanker†
Departments of† Orthopaedics and‡
Histopathology, Colchester General Hospital,
TurnerRoad, Colchester, Essex CO4 5JL, UK
Corresponding address:
Email: mattcosta@hotmail.com
Abstract
The internal fixation of fractures is associated
with a risk of infection. Open fractures in particular are susceptible
to such infection. Treatment is difficult and patients can develop
a chronic osteomyelitis. We present the case of a patient who
developed chronic osteomyelitis with a persistent discharging
sinus following internal fixation of an open fracture of tibia.
At presentation, the sinus tract had undergone malignant transformation
causing massive soft tissue and bony destruction. This patient
died from carcinomatosis after metastasis of his cancer. This
catastrophic complication of chronic osteomyelitis is now uncommon;
however, this case reminds us that the long-term follow-up of
all such patients is mandatory.
Key words
Chronic osteomyelitis; malignant transformation.
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