Pseudomonas Sacroiliac Osteomyelitis: Diagnosis by Gallium Citrate Ga 67 Scan

Osteomyelitis of the sacroiliac joint is an uncommon pediatric infection. Technetium Tc 99m medronate scanning has been advocated as a sensitive diagnostic test. We present a case of Pseudomonas putrefaciens sacroiliac osteomyelitis that was not demonstrable using this technique but was detected by a gallium citrate Ga 67 scan. Report of a Case .—A 17-year-old Greek girl with thalassemia major had been receiving nightly subcutaneous deferoxamine mesylate infusions. Since splenectomy at the age of 10, she had taken daily prophylactic penicillin G potassium. She was admitted to the hospital with a two-day history of fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the lower part of the back. Results of a physical examination were normal, as was a complete blood cell count. Results of urinalysis were normal and a chest roentgenogram showed no infiltrates. Blood cultures were obtained. She became afebrile by the next morning and because a nonproductive cough had