Periostitis
Encyclopedia
Periostitis, also known as periostalgia, is a medical condition caused by inflammation
of the periosteum
, a layer of connective tissue
that surrounds bone. The condition is generally chronic, and is marked by tenderness and swelling of the bone and an aching pain.
, is characterized by diffuse formation of pus, severe pain, constitutional symptoms, and usually results in necrosis
. It can be caused by excessive physical activity as well, as in the case of medial tibial stress syndrome (also referred to as tibial periostalgia, soleus periostalgia, or shin splints). Congenital infection with syphilis can also cause periostitis in newborn infants.
, specialists in ancient disease and injury. Periostitis has been seen in the prehistoric crocodile Borealosuchus formidabilis, once known as Leidyosuchus
. In one study, periostitis was the most common pathology in this species, with 134 instances of the condition out of 7,154 bones the scientists examined showing evidence for the condition. Periostitis has also been documented in dinosaurs, including a forelimb referred to the long-necked Camarasaurus grandis, as well as the shoulder blade of a horned dinosaur.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of the periosteum
Periosteum
Periosteum is a membrane that lines the outer surface of all bones, except at the joints of long bones. Endosteum lines the inner surface of all bones....
, a layer of connective tissue
Connective tissue
"Connective tissue" is a fibrous tissue. It is one of the four traditional classes of tissues . Connective Tissue is found throughout the body.In fact the whole framework of the skeleton and the different specialized connective tissues from the crown of the head to the toes determine the form of...
that surrounds bone. The condition is generally chronic, and is marked by tenderness and swelling of the bone and an aching pain.
Causes
Acute periostitis is due to infectionInfection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
, is characterized by diffuse formation of pus, severe pain, constitutional symptoms, and usually results in necrosis
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
. It can be caused by excessive physical activity as well, as in the case of medial tibial stress syndrome (also referred to as tibial periostalgia, soleus periostalgia, or shin splints). Congenital infection with syphilis can also cause periostitis in newborn infants.
Fossil record
Evidence for periostitis found in the fossil record is studied by paleopathologistsPaleopathology
Paleopathology, also spelled palaeopathology, is the study of ancient diseases. It is useful in understanding the past history of diseases, and uses this understanding to predict its course in the future.- History of paleopathology :...
, specialists in ancient disease and injury. Periostitis has been seen in the prehistoric crocodile Borealosuchus formidabilis, once known as Leidyosuchus
Leidyosuchus
Leidyosuchus is an extinct genus of alligatoroid from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta. It was named in 1907 by Lawrence Lambe, and the type species is L. canadensis. It is known from a number of specimens from the middle Campanian age Dinosaur Park Formation...
. In one study, periostitis was the most common pathology in this species, with 134 instances of the condition out of 7,154 bones the scientists examined showing evidence for the condition. Periostitis has also been documented in dinosaurs, including a forelimb referred to the long-necked Camarasaurus grandis, as well as the shoulder blade of a horned dinosaur.