Javed H, Kamara J, Oyibo SO. Pyomyositis Affecting the Paraspinal and Iliacus Muscles in a Patient With Staphylococcus aureus Urinary Tract Infection.
Cureus 2021;
13:e19003. [PMID:
34722010 PMCID:
PMC8545517 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.19003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of a 63-year-old man who presented with a four-day history of fever, night sweats, and left lower back pain, which radiated down to his left buttock and leg. He also had a short-lived episode of chest pain and breathlessness. He had a medical history of chronic back pain, which had been diagnosed as sciatica three years ago. Initial investigations revealed raised inflammatory markers due to a Staphylococcus aureus urinary tract infection. Despite treatment, his inflammatory markers did not improve and the left lower back pain persisted. A magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated features consistent with pyomyositis of the left lumbar erector spinae (paraspinal) and iliacus muscles. After prolonged antibiotic therapy, his symptoms completely resolved. Pyomyositis is a rare tropical infection of the skeletal muscles most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Risk factors include trauma and immunosuppression. This case highlights a nearly missed diagnosis of paraspinal and iliacus pyomyositis in patients with a background history of chronic lower back pain. Early diagnosis and treatment are pivotal in preventing serious complications such as septicemia and multi-organ failure.
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