Pyomyositis in a young patient with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The authors report the case of a 25-year-old diabetic male patient, with a past history of
pulmonary tuberculosis (treated for one year), presenting with fever and a painful mass
on the right chest wall.
Clinical data and laboratory findings (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and fine
needle aspiration), lead to the diagnosis of methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
pyomyositis. Antibacterial therapy, according to the antibiogram, was started, with
clinical resolution. Reactivation of tuberculosis was excluded.
Pyomyositis is a rare condition, seldom found in temperate climates, that must be
considered in the differential diagnosis of intramuscular infective masses, particularly in
immunosuppressed patients.