Iliopsoas abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus complicated by pulmonary aspergillosis.

We report a case of iliopsoas abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus with pulmonary complications. A 60-year-old man was admitted to the Showa University Hospital Department of Gastroenterology with fulminant hepatitis B on April 14, 2010, and treated with steroids. Although fulminant hepatitis B was improved by steroid and symptomatic therapy, he developed a fever on hospital day 39. The chest X-ray film showed a nodular lesion in the right middle-lower lung field, and both the (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D: -glucan and Candida mannan antigen tests were positive. The ß-D: -glucan level increased despite treatment with fluconazole and other drugs, including low-dose micafungin. Abdominal computed tomography showed a low-density area in the right iliopsoas muscle. He was then referred to the Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases. A. fumigatus was isolated from the iliopsoas lesion and the pulmonary lesion after specimens were obtained by aspiration and bronchofiberscopy, respectively, leading to a diagnosis of fungal iliopsoas abscess. Steroid therapy was tapered early, the abscess was drained, and the micafungin dose was increased. This treatment led to improvement of the fever, inflammatory reaction, ß-D: -glucan level, and lesions of the lung and iliopsoas muscle. In preparation for discharge, treatment was changed to voriconazole (parenteral â†’ per oral) followed by itraconazole (per oral). His clinical course was satisfactory, and there was no recurrence after antifungal therapy was stopped. We conclude that after invasive pulmonary aspergillosis developed, A. fumigatus spread hematogenously to create an extremely rare iliopsoas abscess. The ß-D: -glucan level closely reflected the response to treatment and was useful for follow-up.

Pulmonary and psoas muscle nocardiosis in a patient with lupus nephritis: a case report and review of the literature.

The incidence of nocardiosis is increasing with the expansion of immunosuppressive therapy and improvement of laboratory diagnostic methods. Nocardiosis could be fatal in the compromised host. Some Nocardia species are known to be multi-drug resistant. Thus, early recognition and identification of Nocardia species are important for patient treatment and outcome. Recently, we treated a patient with pulmonary and psoas muscle nocardiosis in a woman taking prednisolone for lupus nephritis; the isolated organism was Nocardia farcinica identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism testing.

Tropical primary pyomyositis in children of the UK: an emerging medical challenge.

Pyomyositis is a commonly encountered condition in the tropics. It was not described in the UK until 1998. The reason for the increasing incidence is not understood. We sought to identify the experience gained of this condition within a UK paediatric tertiary referral unit. Retrospective review of cases of pyomyositis from our institution since 1998 was undertaken to identify demographics, presentation, diagnosis and management. Thirteen cases were identified. The obturator internus was most commonly affected (62%). Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in nine cases (69%). One diagnostic retroperitoneal exploration was performed and all cases were identified by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. To our knowledge, this is the first UK series of pyomyositis, reflecting its increasing Western incidence. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is all that is needed in the majority of cases. A greater awareness of this emerging condition is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention by all surgeons.

[Primary pyomyositis of the psoas muscles in a temperate climate. Review of two cases in children followed up over the long term]. / Piomiositis primaria del músculo psoas en clima templado. Revisión a propósito de dos casos en niños seguidos a largo plazo.

BACKGROUND: We review two cases of primary pyomyositis of the psoas in children that occurred in Navarre, their management and long-term evolution. Primary pyomyositis of the psoas muscle is a rare infection in a temperate climate. Its diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity of the symptoms with several infectious processes, mainly septic arthritis of the hip in children and adolescents. The rarity of the present cases is due to several facts: occurrence in children, in a temperate climate (Navarre), immunocompetent patients and without subjacent pathology, besides their monofocal situation that is contrary to the more frequent multifocal presentation. These factors, besides the poor specificity of the symptoms, constitute a diagnostic challenge. METHODS: We present two patients (10 and 12 years old) with fever and a painful hip. Neither of the patients had predisposing factors. Both of them showed hip flexion with limited range of motion in rotations. Confirmation of the diagnosis was made by ultrasound, CT-scan and/or MRI. Needle aspiration of the hip, under general anaesthesia, confirmed the reactive origin of the joint effusion in both patients. In neither of the two cases was there a significant diagnostic delay. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in the purulent material in one case and in the hemoculture in the other. Both patients have been checked in a long-term revision (follow-up of 7 and 10 years). RESULTS: They were successfully treated by isolated antibiotherapy in one case and surgical drainage in the other. Healing was achieved in each case without relapse or sequels in a long-term revision. We carry out a global revision of this rare infection, emphasising the difficulty of its clinical diagnosis and the different treatment modalities and the proper indication. We suggest an algorithm as a clinical guide for its clinical-therapeutic management.

Nocardia farcinica as the causative agent in a primary psoas abscess in a previously healthy cattle inspector.

A 42-year-old, previously healthy cattle inspector presented with a 7-day history of fever, a painful left knee, malaise and muscular pain. He did not suffer from an underlying disease, nor was he immunocompromised. After 12 days of hospitalization, a unilocular abscess in the left psoas muscle was diagnosed. Nocardia farcinica was isolated from the aspirate. No connection with his work could be demonstrated. The patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 11 months.

Pneumococcal psoas abscess.

A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe low back pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left sided psoas muscle abscess. On the first hospital day, US-guided drainage was performed. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the pus. Thereafter, the open drainage of the abscess and antibiotic treatment were given with subsequent clinical improvement. Only 10 cases of pneumococcal psoas abscess have been previously reported in the world literature.

[Psoas abscess caused by Salmonella enteritidis: presentation of a case]. / Absceso de psoas por Salmonella enteritidis: presentación de un caso.

The psoas abscess is an entity of infrequent occurrence in daily clinical practice. Many pathogens have been related with the genesis of this focal infections, but it can be said nowadays that the Staphylococcus aureus is more often involved in them. We present the case of a male aged 26, with a culture of purulent drained material, where Salmonella enteritidis, a microorganism of exceptional presentation in this pathology, was isolde. Moreover, some hypothesis have been proposed about the possible physiopathology and the current state of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in these processes is revised.

A challenging case of septic sacroiliitis with psoas involvement.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report on a rare case of septic arthritis of the sacroiliac joint in a young patient without apparent predisposing factors. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old female presented with severe right pelvic and gluteal pain and systemic illness. She had a recent diagnosis of bilateral sacroiliitis. INTERVENTION: Systemic illness quickly subsided after initiation of intravenous antibiotic treatment. Subsequently, gluteal pain gradually diminished. CONCLUSION: Pyogenic sacroiliitis should be taken into account in patients with sacroiliitis and fever onset. Magnetic resonance imaging shows signal anomalies well beyond disappearance of symptoms, which may or may not require prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Pyomyositis of the obturator internus muscle extending to septic arthritis of the hip in a child: a case report.

We report a case of primary pyomyositis in the obturator internus muscle. Pyomyositis involving muscles around the hip needs to be differentiated from septic arthritis because these infections show similar symptoms. Management with antibiotics can avoid the need for surgical intervention. Uncontrolled pyomyosistis can cause sequelae such as septic shock, osteomyelitis of adjacent bone, and septic arthritis. Awareness of this condition will facilitate correct diagnosis and early treatment.

[Secondary psoas actinomycosis: a complication of an intra-uterine contraceptive device]. / Actinomycose secondaire du psoas : une complication du dispositif intra-utérin.

Genital-pelvic actinomycosis is an uncommon disease which often arises on women with long term use of intrauterine device. Its diagnostic remains difficult. Even if different clinical locations has been reported, location to the psoas muscle is exceptional. We report such a case, diagnosed on a 53 years old woman. Both a tumoral and a severe infectious syndrome appeared three months after an intra-uterine device removal. The septic syndrome led to a laparotomic approach. Unusual clinical presentation, delay between device removal and septic syndrome and lack of genital infection explain the issues to reach the final diagnosis.

Bilateral psoas abscesses caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) after posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine.

Psoas abscess following spine surgery is a rare condition that can be overlooked or delayed as a result of its vague clinical manifestations. Gone unchecked, it can lead to severe morbidity and even death. We present a 71-year-old female patient who developed bilateral psoas abscess immediately following L2 through S1 posterior instrumented fusion. The patient underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage of the bilateral psoas abscess and blood cultures revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sensitive to vancomycin. Following surgical re-exploration, debridement and removal of part of the instrumentation, the patient received antibiotic treatment for 12 weeks and at 1-year follow-up the patient continues asymptomatic.

[Bacterial pyomyositis in a 12-year-old girl without fever]. / Pyomyositis uden feber hos 12-årig pige.

Bacterial pyomyositis is generally found in tropical countries. This case report presents pyomyositis in a 12-year-old girl who was admitted without fever to the paediatric department. The only symptom was pain in the left hip. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the blood on day 4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed infection in the left m. ileopsoas. Previous ultrasound, computerised tomography, x-ray and bone-scintigraphy were normal. After 11 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy and clinical remission, secondary bone affection was detected by a new MRI. Long-term antibiotic treatment is required in such cases because of the risk of secondary bone affection. This patient was treated for 11 days with intravenous antibiotic therapy and for the subsequent three months with tablets.

Psoas abscess secondary to discitis: a case report of conservative management.

We report a case of secondary psoas abscess in a 37-year-old man with a 3-week history of severe low backache managed conservatively without surgical drainage. Apart from bilaterally restricted straight leg raising (<70 degrees), his neurologic examination was within normal limits. Magnetic resonance imaging showed discitis of the L3-L4 space and a left-sided secondary psoas abscess. Aspiration biopsy of the abscess material under radiologic control isolated Staphylococcus aureus, which responded to appropriate antibiotic therapy with complete resolution. A high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis of psoas abscess, which should be considered in patients with pyrexia and backache with a neurologic examination that is otherwise normal. We discuss the recommendations for surgical and nonsurgical approaches.

Iliopsoas myositis mimicking appendicitis: MRI diagnosis.

Myositis of the truncal muscles can closely mimic acute appendicitis. Myositis is the early stage of muscular infection. It is characterized by diffuse muscular pain and swelling without a distinct mass. Early diagnosis of myositis improves the outcome and surgical debridement is usually avoided. Pyomyositis, the advanced stage of the disease, can be diagnosed by MRI examination. We present a case of early bacterial myositis that was diagnosed by MRI.

Septic arthritis of lumbar facet joints. A review of six cases.

Hematogenous infection of the facet joints by pyogenic organisms is exceedingly rare. We report six cases of lumbar facet joint septic arthritis due to hematogenous spread of a pyogenic organism. A review of the literature identified ten anecdotal reports of similar cases. An analysis of these 16 cases showed that the diagnosis was based mainly on imaging study findings and that clinical data failed to discriminate between facet joint septic arthritis and infectious discitis. Increased uptake on the radionuclide bone scan was an early finding and the pattern of uptake was different from that seen in discitis. Computed tomography was the investigation that best delineated the facet joint lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine was superior over computed tomography in demonstrating spread of the infection to the epidural space and/or soft tissues and in some instances demonstrated enhancement of the infected facet joint on T1 images after gadolinium injection. Aspiration of the facet joint under fluoroscopic guidance was required only when blood cultures were negative or when the diagnosis of the septic nature of the arthritis was in doubt. Blood cultures yielded a Staphylococcus aureus in the six cases in our series. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy was successful in most cases. In our series, four of the six patients had posterior epiduritis, pyomyositis, or an abscess in the paraspinal muscles or psoas muscle, suggesting that some epidural infections or psoas muscle abscesses believed heretofore to be primary may in fact be complications of facet joint septic arthritis. Facet joint septic arthritis is a new aspect of pyogenic spinal infections that deserves to be considered in patients with febrile spinal syndromes not explained by discitis.

CT of unusual iliopsoas compartment lesions.

The authors reviewed the anatomy of the iliopsoas compartment and a spectrum of unusual lesions affecting structures in this compartment, with emphasis on the role of computed tomography (CT). Lesions in the iliopsoas compartment are caused by acute infection, tumor, or hemorrhage. The knowledge of detailed clinical data can help improve the diagnostic accuracy, particularly with regard to primary iliopsoas lesions. CT is useful for delineating the source of secondary iliopsoas lesions, guiding biopsy, and performing follow-up of treated lesions. Nonenhanced CT can help detect fresh hemorrhage, fat-containing tumor, and calcification, whereas contrast material enhanced CT optimizes imaging of infection, tumor, and aneurysm.