Antibiotic therapy for osteomyelitis is often prolonged to ensure eradication of the infection. Monitoring the response of osteomyelitis to antibiotic therapy can be challenging.
Monitoring osteomyelitis can be achieved by performing the following tests every 4 to 6 weeks:
(1) gallium bone scan
(2) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
The increased intake of gallium seen with active osteomyelitis will normalize once the infection has resolved. Similarly the ESR should return to normal.
C-reactive protein (CRP) might also be used for monitoring the patient.
Limitations:
• Neither method is particularly sensitive for detecting small residual foci. Prolonged followup is often required to make sure that the infection has not relapsed.
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