Pelvic primary staphylococcal infection presenting as a thigh abscess

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Intra-abdominal infections can spread extra-abdominally through various anatomical pathways.
• The psoas muscle and surrounding pelvic structures offer potential routes for disease migration.
• Pelvic infections may present atypically, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of primary pelvic Staphylococcus aureus infection presenting as a thigh abscess.
• To illustrate the diagnostic imaging findings and management of this rare clinical presentation.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 60-year-old male with a thigh abscess.
• Diagnostic workup included X-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Surgical drainage of the abscess and bacterial culture for Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

• MRI revealed inflammatory changes in the left hemipelvis and thigh, involving multiple muscle groups.
• Surgical drainage yielded significant purulent discharge.
• Bacterial cultures confirmed Staphylococcus aureus infection.
• The patient experienced an uneventful recovery with appropriate treatment.

Conclusions:

• Primary pelvic Staphylococcus aureus infections can present as thigh abscesses.
• Imaging modalities like MRI are crucial for delineating the extent of infection.
• Prompt surgical drainage and targeted antibiotic therapy are essential for successful management.