An adolescent athlete with groin and hip pain

Bilateral obturator pyomyositis with visceral involvement in an immunocompetent adult patient treated without surgery

BACKGROUND

Primary pyomyositis is a rare bacterial infection that affects large muscle groups mainly in immunocompromised patients. Treatment options include antibiotic treatment with surgical or radiologic interventions.

CASE

A 22-year-old immunocompetent athlete was diagnosed with bilateral obturator muscle pyomyositis involving pelvic floor muscles and the urinary bladder after muscle injury during training. Intravenous antibiotic treatment was administered, resulting in eradication of the infection.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case of bilateral obturator pyomyositis with coexisting involvement of pelvic floor muscles (levator ani) and viscera (urinary bladder) treated exclusively and with success by the administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy. A non-operative approach may could be attempted for the avoidance of postoperative morbidity and complications, especially when early clinical suspicion and diagnostic work-up lead to early diagnosis.

Primary pyomyositis of the pelvis in children: a retrospective review of 8 cases

Primary pyomyositis of the pelvic musculature is a condition rarely seen in temperate climates, although its frequency has been increasing in the United States. The condition should be considered in the initial differential diagnosis of an adolescent presenting with fever, difficulty ambulating, and hip pain. This is a retrospective review of 8 cases of primary pelvic pyomyositis in patients aged 18 years or younger who were treated at the Children's Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. The site of infection was the obturator internus in the majority of the cases (5). The site was the gluteus, iliopsoas, and iliacus in 1 case each. Four patients who were diagnosed early responded to intravenous antibiotics with no need for further intervention. Two patients required incision and drainage of an abscess combined with antibiotics. Two patients had prolonged hospital courses requiring intensive unit care and mechanical ventilation. Blood cultures were positive in 87.5% of patients, and all patients presented with elevated acute phase reactants. One of the most difficult diagnostic aspects of presentation is an inconclusive symptom profile. It is noteworthy that patients with pelvic pyomyositis may present with limited range of motion in a specific plane (the motion placing the infected muscle on stretch) vs global limited range of motion of the joint as is commonly seen in septic arthritis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent systemic illness and complications associated with this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium is helpful to diagnose and guide treatment.