what is crmo

CRMO stands for Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis, which is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the bone. It is also known as Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis (CNO) . CRMO is a severe form of CNO that can affect one or more bones, and it most commonly affects children around the age of nine or ten, with females being more commonly affected than males. The exact cause of CRMO is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms of CRMO include pain in the bones, swelling in the joints, and for some children, the pain is accompanied by a fever. The diagnosis of CRMO is based on exams, imaging tests such as X-rays, bone scans, or MRI, bone biopsy, and laboratory tests. Treatment of CRMO depends on how severe it is and which bones it affects. Treatment usually starts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), but some patients need additional medications, including methotrexate, biologics, and bisphosphonates. With treatment, CRMO can go into remission; however, the possibility of recurrence usually requires lifelong monitoring by a rheumatologist.