Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review
05:06

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review

Published on: March 27, 2026

[Paravertebral pyomyositis in childhood following closed injury]

M E Vázquez-López1, S Martínez-Regueira, J L Fernández-Iglesias

  • 1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Xeral-Calde de Lugo. Lugo. España.

Reumatologia Clinica
|July 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Pyomyositis, a bacterial muscle infection often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, can lead to severe complications like sepsis and osteomyelitis. Prompt diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Musculoskeletal Infections

Context:

  • Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of skeletal muscle, frequently involving Staphylococcus aureus.
  • It typically presents with localized pain, swelling, and fever, potentially leading to abscess formation.
  • Complications can include septic shock, arthritis, and osteomyelitis, with a reported mortality rate of 1.8%.

Purpose:

  • To report a case of pediatric paravertebral pyomyositis secondary to a traumatic injury.
  • To highlight the progression of the infection, including sepsis, abscess, and contiguous osteomyelitis.
  • To emphasize the importance of early recognition and management of pyomyositis in children.

Summary:

  • An 8-year-old boy developed paravertebral pyomyositis after a lumbar injury, complicated by Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.
  • The infection progressed to a perivertebral abscess and osteomyelitis of the L3 spinous process.
  • The patient successfully completed 8 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy (vancomycin, metronidazole, and cloxacillin).

Impact:

  • This case underscores the need to consider pyomyositis in children presenting with fever, localized muscle pain, and a history of trauma or sports injuries.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic intervention are vital to prevent severe complications and reduce mortality.
  • The successful treatment demonstrates the efficacy of prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy in managing complex pyomyositis cases.

More Related Videos

Maintenance of a Lateral Fluid Percussion Injury Device05:16

Maintenance of a Lateral Fluid Percussion Injury Device

Published on: April 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...