Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentor: Lawson A.B. Copley, M.D.
Department: Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Medical Center
Room number: D03-370
Mail Code:
Phone number: (214) 456-5614
E-mail: lawson.copley@childrens.com
Project title:
Title: Epidemiology of acute, subacute and chronic musculoskeletal infections in pediatric patients.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) patient-based research, IRB project number: 082004-049

Brief Description of Project: Last summer, we performed a retrospective chart review of medical records maintained at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for care delivered between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004 to children with musculoskeletal infection. 565 cases of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, pyomyositis and deep soft tissue abscess involving the musculoskeletal system were identified. A database was built and populated with treatment data corresponding to the hospitalizations of these children.

This summer we will be reviewing the data pertaining to the following inquiries:

1. Epidemiology of musculoskeletal infection at a single tertiary care medical center. Our data will be compared to a previous study performed at the same institution which was reported in 1982 in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics by Maryanne Jackson and John Nelson.
2. Incidence of deep venous thrombosis associated with musculoskeletal infection in children and adolescents. Approximately 18 cases have been identified in our patient population which would make this the largest report in the literature.
3. Non-tropical pyomyositis. We will evaluate the most common causative organisms, locations of involvement, and response to specific treatments of surgery and antibiotics. The 50 cases we have identified would again represent the largest report from a single institution in the literature.
4. The relative incidence of MRSA versus MSSA in community acquired musculoskeletal infections. Our high volume experience will enable us to draw unique insights with respect to the best current choices for empiric and specific antibiotics to treat these children.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

I worked with Tyler last summer. He was extremely industrious and diligent. His work was instrumental in allowing us to get the database refined and to perform a substantial amount of the data entry. It is most fitting that Tyler be able to benefit from his hard work and participate in the process of data analysis, abstract preparation, submission for scientific meetings, and preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer-review publication.

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