Chronic osteomyelitis in the lower extremity predisposing to the unusual formation of keloids

Orimolade EA, Olabanji JK, Oladele AO, Yusuf MB
Correspondence: Dr Orimolade Ayodele Elkanah, ayodeleorimolade@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Keloids commonly occur in black and pigmented races as well as in young adults, but rarely affect Caucasians and albinos. While they have a predilection for the upper trunk as well as the head and neck regions, they seldom occur in the lower limbs. A six-year-old boy presented with multiple fibrous nodular swellings of the right leg and a discharging sinus over the ankle. Closer evaluation revealed underlying chronic osteomyelitis complicated by multiple huge keloids over the leg and ankle. Associated chronic inflammation had resulted in the huge keloids. Our patient’s age, site of occurrence and presentation were not typical. In the event that a keloid is presented in isolation, chronic osteomyelitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis, and a high index of suspicion is required in order to establish the diagnosis.

Keywords: keloid, osteomyelitis, lower extremity
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(9): e190–e193