Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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Osteomyelitis of the clavicle is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose. We have reviewed five cases of acute staphylococcal osteomyelitis of the clavicle that have been collected over a 3-year period in our center. All patients had pain, fever, and swelling over the clavicle. ⋯ This behaves very differently from chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis and tuberculous osteomyelitis of the clavicle, which are more commonly reported. Our impression is that early treatment with high-dose intravenous antistaphylococcal antibiotics helps avoid the complication of pathologic fracture. The functional result after resorption of the medial clavicle is very good in the short term.