(iii) Osteomyelitis – a historical and basic sciences review

Osteomyelitis can affect any bone in patients of any age. The acute, subacute and chronic forms can equally be diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Successful clinical management of any disease is based upon an understanding of the disease process. This article sets out to review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, serology and radiology of osteomyelitis set within the context of relevant historical background and accepted classification systems.