Pyomyositis of the iliacus muscle in a child

W R Peckett1, A Butler-Manuel, L A Apthorp

  • 1Conquest Hospital, St Leonards-on-Sea, England, UK.

Insights

Pyomyositis, a rare muscle infection in temperate climates, can affect children. This case highlights successful antibiotic treatment for iliacus muscle pyomyositis without abscess formation or surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopaedics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Paediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Pyomyositis is uncommon in temperate regions, often presenting as a hip joint mimic requiring surgical drainage.
  • It is typically associated with abscess formation, necessitating intervention.

Observation:

  • A ten-year-old girl presented with symptoms suggestive of pyomyositis of the iliacus muscle.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed via MRI and blood culture.
  • Notably, no abscess formed despite significant inflammation and swelling.

Findings:

  • Conservative management with antibiotics alone resulted in complete resolution of the infection.
  • This case represents a unique instance of paediatric iliacus pyomyositis without abscess in the British orthopaedic literature.

Implications:

  • Paediatric orthopaedic surgeons should consider pyomyositis in their differential diagnoses.
  • Non-surgical, antibiotic-based treatment may be effective in select paediatric pyomyositis cases.
  • Awareness of this condition's presentation, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial for clinicians.

Related Concept Videos

Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy01:21

Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy

Satellite stem cells or myosatellite cells are quiescent stem cells that Alexander Mauro first identified in 1961. These cells are located between the sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, and the basal lamina, the connective tissue sheath covering it. These mononucleated cells are activated in response to muscle injury, can transform into myoblasts, and may form or repair muscle fibers. Myosatellite cells can provide additional myonuclei for muscle regeneration or return to a...
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants01:19

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Muscles of the Abdomen01:21

Muscles of the Abdomen

The abdominal wall encircles the abdominal cavity, providing flexible protection and shielding the internal organs from harm. It is bordered at the top by the xiphoid process and costal margins, at the back by the vertebral column, and at the bottom by the pelvic bones and inguinal ligament. The abdominal wall is divided into two regions — the anterolateral and posterior regions.
Anterolateral Region
The anterolateral region comprises five paired muscles classified into the lateral and anterior...
Muscles that Move the Thigh01:20

Muscles that Move the Thigh

The thigh's motion is primarily governed by muscles originating in the pelvic girdle and inserted into the femur. One crucial muscle, the iliopsoas, is a combination of the psoas major and the iliacus muscles, sharing a common insertion point on the lesser trochanter of the femur.
Three other significant muscles are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus originates from the posterior surface of the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx, and the thoracolumbar fascia...
Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...