Papers of the Week

Distal radius fractures are among the most common pediatric fractures. In unstable fractures, treatment methods include closed or open reduction and percutaneous pinning with Kirschner wire (K-wire). This report presents a 13-year-old boy with an unstable distal radius and ulnar fractures, following an accident, who was treated with open reduction and K-wire fixation. He had pain and limited wrist range of motion for 6 months. Conventional radiography revealed a lytic lesion with evident sclerotic margin. Chronic osteomyelitis and Brodie's abscess were also indicated. A complete curettage and antibiotic therapy for 3 months was successful. Culturing results showed that and pathologic findings were in favor of chronic osteomyelitis. Subacute osteomyelitis and Brodie's abscess are rare retarded complications in percutaneous pinning of distal radius pediatric fractures. The curettage of the lesion and antibiotic therapy for at least 3 months would be successful and could result in good prognosis among children.