title: Clinical characteristics of Staphylococcal pyomyositis.
abstract: Pyomyositis is common in the tropics but rarely reported in temperate climates. This disease may give rise to obscure, non-specific, or misleading signs and symptoms. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to death. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. We analyzed 8 cases treated in the Tri-Service General Hospital between 1989 and 2001. There were 3 males and 5 females with age ranging from 2 to 66 years. Fever was found in all patients. The mean time lag between the onset of minor symptoms and diagnosis was 10 days. The imaging tools used included sonography, gallium-67 scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Early application of sonography to any suspected lesions can help to establish diagnosis. All 8 patients recovered smoothly without complications after incision, drainage, and administration of adequate antibiotics for 2 to 4 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hueng-Chuen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Wen-Tsung
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Mong-Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Chih-Chien
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents