Group G streptococcus–a rare cause of osteomyelitis simulating bone tumour: A case report

SHY Tong, WM Tang, JWK Wong
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

We report a case of osteomyelitis of the proximal femur caused by Lancefield group G streptococcus in a 71-year-old otherwise healthy man. The organism has rarely been identified as the cause of osteomyelitis. The subacute nature of the symptoms and the radiological appearance of the femur in this patient mimic bone tumour. The patient was successfully treated with conservative methods, including a prolonged period of oral antibiotics. We stress the importance of histological and bacteriological evidence in avoiding misdiagnosing patients with equivocal clinical and radiological presentation.