Sequestrum

Sequestrum

A sequestrum is a piece of dead bone that has become separated during the process of necrosis from normal/sound bone.

It is a complication (sequelae) of osteomyelitis. The pathological process is as follows:
*infection in the bone leads to an increase in intramedullary pressure due to inflammatory exudates
*the periosteum becomes stripped from the osteum, leading to vascular thrombosis
*bone necrosis follows due to lack of blood supply
*sequestra are formed

The sequestra are surrounded by sclerotic bone which for all intents and purposes is relatively avascular (without a blood supply). Within the bone itself, the haversian canals become blocked with scar tissue, and the bone becomes surrounded by thickened periosteum.

Due to the avascular nature of this bone, antibiotics which travel to sites of infection via the bloodstream, poorly penetrate these tissues. Hence the difficulty in treating chronic osteomyelitis.

At the same time as this, new bone is forming (known as involucrum). Opening in this involucrum allow debris and exudates (including pus) to pass from the sequestrum via sinus tracts to the skin.

Rarely, a sequestrum may turn out to be an osteoid osteoma, a rare tumor of the bone.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sequestrum — Se*ques trum, n.; pl. {Sequestra}. [NL. See {Sequester}.] (Med.) A portion of dead bone which becomes separated from the sound portion, as in necrosis. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sequestrum — [si kwes′trəm] n. pl. sequestrums or sequestra [si kwes′trə] [ModL < L, a deposit: see SEQUESTER] Med. a piece of dead bone which has become separated from the surrounding healthy bone …   English World dictionary

  • sequestrum — A piece of necrotic tissue, usually bone, that has become separated from the surrounding healthy tissue. [Mod. L. use of Mediev. L. s., something laid aside, fr. L. sequestro, to lay aside, separate] primary s. a completely detached s.. * * *… …   Medical dictionary

  • sequestrum — /səˈkwɛstrəm/ (say suh kwestruhm) noun (plural sequestra /səˈkwɛstrə/ (say suh kwestruh)) a dead portion of bone separated from the living bone. {New Latin, special use of Latin sequestrum something detached, properly neuter of sequester… …  

  • sequestrum forceps — forceps with small but strong serrated jaws for removing the portions of bone forming a sequestrum …   Medical dictionary

  • sequestrum — noun (plural trums; also sequestra) Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, legal sequestration, from sequester Date: 1831 a fragment of dead bone detached from adjoining sound bone …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sequestrum — sequestral, adj. /si kwes treuhm/, n., pl. sequestra / treuh/. Pathol. a fragment of bone that has become necrotic as a result of disease or injury and has separated from the normal bone structure. [1825 35; < NL; ML: sequestrated property, deriv …   Universalium

  • sequestrum — noun A fragment of bone or other dead tissue that has separated during necrosis …   Wiktionary

  • sequestrum — n. piece of tissue (especially bone) that has detached from the surrounding healthy tissue (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • sequestrum — [sɪ kwɛstrəm] noun (plural sequestra trə) Medicine a piece of dead bone tissue formed within a diseased or injured bone, typically in chronic osteomyelitis. Derivatives sequestral adjective Origin C19: mod. L., neut. of L. sequester standing… …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”