We reviewed the case of three of our own patients who had osteomyelitis
of the symphysis pubis, as well as those of twenty-five patients described
in the literature. The early symptoms of osteomyelitis of the symphysis
mimic those of osteitis pubis. Osteomyelitis almost invariably is preceded
by urological or gynecological surgery (often when a technical complication
has occurred), and does not respond to shortterm antibiotic treatment.
Characteristic radiographic findings develop. Osteomyelitis of the
symphysis pubis should be treated by debridement and curettage, together
with long-term treatment with an appropriately high dose of
antibiotics.