Work

Pyomyositis in Northern California Following Provoked Deep Vein Thrombosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Pyomyositis is an uncommon bacterial infection of the skeletal muscle, traditionally associated with tropical regions and immunocompromised hosts. We present a case of a 44‐year‐old immunocompetent female in Northern California who developed pyomyositis involving the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis. A drainable abscess was not initially demonstrated on computed tomography (CT) imaging, and diagnosis was delayed by findings of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with septic pulmonary emboli in the setting of septic shock due to methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. Two possible pathogenetic mechanisms were considered: either a provoked DVT from immobilization following recent lower extremity surgery served as a nidus for bacterial seeding, or alternatively, a superficial thigh abscess triggered a hypercoagulable state leading to DVT formation and subsequent bacterial seeding. In either scenario, muscle strain from impaired mobility rendered the tissues vulnerable to abscess formation. The patient required multiple surgical debridements and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy for successful treatment. This case reveals atypical pathogenetic mechanisms for pyomyositis and highlights the necessity for physicians to remain vigilant for this disease process that has demonstrated an increasing incidence rate in the United States, even in immunocompetent hosts and in temperate climates.

Source: Case Reports in Critical Care

DOI: 10.1155/crcc/8846829

Authors: Nicholas Sparr, Avijit Baidwan, Nathan C. Claydon, Jessica McMichael, Glenn Gookin

Institution: Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Streptococcal Infections and Treatments

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $790