SUMMARY

Osteomyelitis is an infection involving bones. It may present in any part of the body but vertebral involvement is most common. After vertebral osteomyelitis, the most common site involved in hematogenous osteomyelitis is the flat bones of the axial skeletal system, such as the sternoclavicular and pelvic bones. Drug users are particularly at risk. It is most caused by Staphylococcus aureus and typically presents with localized pain, swelling, and erythema in the sternoclavicular region. We present a case of an 85-year-old male who is a known case of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension who presented with sudden onset, high-grade fever, severe pain, difficulty in swallowing, and swelling over the Left sternoclavicular joint. Imaging studies revealed emphysematous osteomyelitis with abscess formation and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient underwent surgical drainage and was initiated on empirical intravenous antibiotics as blood for culture and sensitivity reports were awaited. The patient showed some improvement after the drainage and anti-biotics treatment, but after 3 days’ the patient stopped responding to treatment. Follow-up imaging showed no resolution of the abscess, and clinical examination showed a freely mobile clavicle and increased pain. The patient died 10 days after the diagnosis of sternoclavicular joint emphysematous osteomyelitis and initiation of treatment due to extensive sepsis. Sternoclavicular joint osteomyelitis requires prompt diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach involving infectious disease specialists and surgeons. Early surgical intervention combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial for successful management and prevention of complications. The rarity of this pathology with increased mortality prompted the case report.

Keywords: Clavicle, Osteomyelitis, Sternoclavicular Joint.

How to cite this: Umair M, Farooq MU, Maka TA. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sternoclavicular Joint Infection for Early Diagnosis and Treatment to Improve Disease Outcomes and Reduce Mortality. Life and Science. 2025; 6(1): 133-137. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.553