Clivus osteomyelitis secondary to Enterococcus faecium infection in a 6-year-old girl

A 6-year-old girt was diagnosed to suffer from clivus osteomyelitis secondary to Enterococcus faecium infection. On the basis of the magnetic resonance image, the abscess was drained via the posterior wall of the pharyngeal tract immediately. Subsequent antibiotic therapy allowed rapid improvement and Longterm heating of the osteomyelitic process without any side effect. Osteomyelitis or abscess of the clivus is very rare in adult patients and extremely rare in children. Some etiopathogenetic hypotheses are discussed in this case. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.