How does osteomyelitis present in Sickle Cell Disease?
Presentation of osteomyelitis may be subtle, mimicking sickle crisis or affecting multiple areas. Both sickle crisis and osteomyelitis may present with bone pain, fever, and leukocytosis, and radiographs may be identical although patients with osteomyelitis have more severe symptoms. An absolute band neutrophil count of >1000/mm 3 is more suggestive of osteomyelitis than infarction or crisis. Contrast-enhanced MRI can help differentiate between infection and infarction.
