Isolated Osteomyelitis of the Cuboid Treated with One-Stage Debridement and Bone Grafting – A Case Series and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION: Isolated osteomyelitis of the cuboid is a rare entity with very few case reports worldwide. A variety of treatment methods are described for these lesions, both single-stage and two staged and ranges from simple curettage to bone grafting and arthrodesis. CASE REPORT: We present a series of two cases of chronic osteomyelitis in young adults due to puncture wound over the lateral foot. Both patients presented with purulent discharge from sinus over lateral foot. There was no involvement of adjoining bones in them. Culture yielded Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both patients were treated with adequate curetting, saucerization with cancellous bone grafting in one of the cases. Both wounds healed uneventfully with good ankle and hindfoot function. CONCLUSION: The cuboid is a rare site of chronic osteomyelitis due to punture wounds with foreign bodies, especially in rural population. With meticulous curettage and bone grafting, the infection can be eradicated reliably and usually with good residual function.