A Clinical Prediction Algorithm to Stratify Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection by Severity.

Objective: There are currently no algorithms for early stratification of pediatric musculoskeletal infection (MSKI) severity that are applicable to all types of tissue involvement. In this study, the authors sought to develop a clinical prediction algorithm that accurately stratifies infection severity based on clinical and laboratory data at presentation to the emergency department.

Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted to identify patients aged 0 to 18 who presented to the pediatric emergency department at a tertiary care children's hospital with concern for acute MSKI over a 5-year period (2008 to 2013).

A Novel Classification System Based on Dissemination of Musculoskeletal Infection is Predictive of Hospital Outcomes.

Background: Musculoskeletal infections (MSKIs) are a common cause of pediatric hospitalization. Children affected by MSKI have highly variable hospital courses, which seem to depend on infection severity. Early stratification of infection severity would therefore help to maximize resource utilization and improve patient care.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pericapsular pyomyositis of the hip in children.

Background: The yield of synovial fluid cultures in patients meeting clinical criteria for septic hip arthritis remains low. In the presence of positive blood cultures, these patients are diagnosed and treated as "presumed septic arthritis." We hypothesized that some of these patients may instead have an extra-articular infection, such as pericapsular pyomyositis.