Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pyomyositis complicated by compartment syndrome in an immunocompetent young woman

Purulent infectious myositis (formerly tropical pyomyositis)

Purulent infectious myositis (PIM), formerly known as tropical pyomyositis, is a pyogenic infection of skeletal muscles. Staphylococcus aureus, a normal human skin inhabitant, is the main pathogen involved, but multiple other microorganisms have been implicated. Although usually a progressive febrile disease with pain in the affected muscle(s), severe, life-threatening forms have been described, especially in immunosuppressed patients and children. PIM may elude early diagnosis given the lack of overlying skin changes. Hence, high index of suspicion followed by imaging modalities (ultrasonography when superficial and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with contrast when deep) help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment requires combination of percutaneous or open surgical drainage along with antimicrobial therapy guided by culture results. The rising incidence of cases due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, makes the inclusion of vancomycin be recommended. This paper reviews PIM highlighting its global distribution, causative agents, predisposing factors, management, and potential complications.

Septic ankle with purulence tracking up the flexor hallucis longus tendon sheath leading to deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism and compartment syndrome

The differential diagnosis for lower extremity swelling and ankle pain is broad and can have overlapping and related diagnoses. If there is concern for more than one diagnosis, the practitioner should perform a thorough physical examination, order the appropriate studies, and perform the correct procedures to completely diagnose and treat the patient. This article presents the case of a 19-year-old male who presented with 5 days of left ankle pain, fevers, and swelling without any known trauma to the area. Physical examination was concerning for a septic ankle joint, cellulitis, deep venous thrombosis, and compartment syndrome. Duplex venous ultrasound confirmed a deep venous thrombosis in the popliteal vein. Joint aspiration of the ankle had gross purulence with the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was taken emergently to the operating room where he was found to have gross purulence in the deep posterior compartment, medial and lateral soft tissues of the ankle, and gross purulence in the ankle joint. The deep posterior compartment also had significant muscle necrosis and evidence of compartment syndrome. This case presents the possibility of a septic ankle leading to compartment syndrome and deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism due to the intra-articular nature of the flexor hallucis longus tendon sheath.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case report, Level IV.

Spontaneous compartment syndrome of the forearm in association with nephrotic syndrome and transient bacteremia

We present a patient with spontaneous compartment syndrome of the upper extremity in association with nephrotic syndrome and transient bacteremia, of which the exact cause of compartment syndrome was unclear. This is an extremely rare occurrence, and index of suspicion should be maintained even in the absence of trauma when a patient presents with acute swelling of the upper or lower extremity together with nephrotic syndrome.

Community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, recognition and management

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of infection, particularly in hospitalized patients and those with significant healthcare exposure. In recent years, epidemic community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections occurring in patients without healthcare risk factors have become more frequent. The most common manifestation of CA-MRSA infection is skin and soft tissue infection, although necrotizing pneumonia, sepsis and osteoarticular infections can occur. CA-MRSA strains have become endemic in many communities and are genetically distinct from previously identified MRSA strains. CA-MRSA may be more capable colonizers of humans and more virulent than other S. aureus strains. Specific mechanisms of pathogenicity have not been elucidated, but several factors have been proposed as responsible for the virulence of CA-MRSA, including the Panton-Valentine leukocidin, phenol-soluble modulins and type I arginine catabolic mobile element. The movement of CA-MRSA strains into the nosocomial setting limits the utility of using clinical risk factors alone to designate community- or healthcare-associated status. Identification of unique genetic characteristics and genotyping are valuable tools for MRSA epidemiological studies. Although the optimum pharmacological therapy for CA-MRSA infections has not been determined, many CA-MRSA strains remain broadly susceptible to several non-beta-lactam antibacterial agents. Empirical antibacterial therapy should include an MRSA-active agent, particularly in areas where CA-MRSA is endemic.