Abstract

CHACON-PRADO, Leonardo; CERVANTES-SIBAJA, Jorge  and  PADILLA-CUADRA, Juan Ignacio. Pyomiositis and hematogenous spondylodiscitis in a immunocompetent patient. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2016, vol.58, n.4, pp.178-181. ISSN 0001-6002.

Pyomyositis is a primary bacterial infection of skeletal muscle. Formerly, it was a disease present orly in patients in tropical climate zones, thus being known as tropical pyomyositis. Nonetheless there has been an increased incidence in non-tropical climates mainly in immunocompromised patients. This condition may be related to bacteremia and therefore to the appearance of infectious sites through hematogenous dissemination. A case of spondylodiscitis, due to bacteremia from an iliopsoas muscle pyomyositis, is reported. The patient consulted initially for severe low back pain and an abscess in the iliopsoas muscle was diagnosed and percutaneous drainage was required.

Few days later, the patient suffered flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs and spinal cord compression was suspected. The spinal tomography scan showed spinal cord compression at C5-C6 level due to spondylodiscitiswhichrequired surgical treatment and drainage. A culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus was also isolated from the area.

This case shows hematogenous dissemination of bacterial pyomyositis with spinal compromise and cord compression in an immunocompetent patient.

Keywords : Pyomyositis; spondylodiscitis.

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