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Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Brucellosis presenting as piriformis myositis: a case report
Pantelis Kraniotis1, Markos Marangos, Alexandra Lekkou
1Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece. pantelis.kraniotis@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|April 1, 2011
Summary
This case report details the first instance of piriformis myositis caused by Brucella melitensis. Early diagnosis via MRI is crucial for treating this rare bacterial muscle infection, preventing complications like abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Myositis, a rare bacterial muscle infection, rarely involves the piriformis muscle.
- Brucella melitensis is an uncommon cause of bacterial myositis.
- Piriformis muscle involvement in Brucellosis is exceptionally rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first documented case of piriformis myositis caused by Brucella melitensis.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and imaging modalities for piriformis myositis.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of Brucellosis presenting as myositis.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 19-year-old male with fever and hip pain.
- Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis of inflammatory muscle involvement.
- Blood cultures for identification of Brucella melitensis.
- Antibiotic treatment and follow-up imaging.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis of inflammatory involvement of the right piriformis muscle confirmed by MRI.
- Positive blood cultures identified Brucella melitensis.
- Successful treatment with antibiotics and resolution of inflammation shown on follow-up MRI.
Conclusions:
- Brucellosis can manifest as piriformis myositis, mimicking other conditions like spondylodiscitis.
- Clinical diagnosis of piriformis myositis is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms.
- MRI is the preferred imaging modality for early diagnosis of piriformis myositis, preventing complications.
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