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Intermediate Technical IVT

CNO

Also written as: CNO — Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis

Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis, a sterile inflammatory bone condition affecting children and adolescents.

Full Definition

Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by sterile bone inflammation that primarily affects children and adolescents. The condition presents with bone pain, swelling, and characteristic radiographic changes including osteolysis, sclerosis, and hyperostosis. CNO can be unifocal or multifocal, with the multifocal variant sometimes referred to as chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO). The etiology involves dysregulated innate immune responses rather than infection, and treatment typically includes NSAIDs as first-line therapy, with bisphosphonates or TNF inhibitors reserved for refractory cases. Long-term complications may include growth disturbances and spinal deformities.

Usage

Usage note: CNO and CRMO are often used interchangeably, though CNO is the broader term encompassing both unifocal and multifocal disease.

In Context

  • "The patient's CNO responded well to high-dose NSAID therapy with resolution of bone pain." — Treatment response note
  • "MRI findings confirmed multifocal CNO lesions in the spine and pelvis." — Radiology interpretation

Also known as

chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis CRMO sterile osteomyelitis

Contrasted with

bacterial osteomyelitis

Don't confuse with

septic arthritis osteosarcoma chronic osteomyelitis

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