title: Brucellosis presenting as piriformis myositis: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myositis is a rare bacterial muscle infection. Involvement of the piriformis muscle has been rarely reported in the literature. In this report we describe a case of piriformis myositis due to Brucella melitensis, which to the best of our knowledge is the first such case presented in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 19-year-old Caucasian man who presented to our institution with fever and right hip pain. Brucellosis was suspected, but the clinical suspicion was for spondylodiscitis. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging scan allowed prompt diagnosis of inflammatory involvement of the right piriformis muscle. Blood culture results were positive for B. melitensis. Our patient was treated with antibiotics, and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans showed resolution of the inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brucellosis can present as piriformis myositis. The clinical diagnosis of piriformis myositis is difficult, as it can mimic other common entities such as referred back pain from spondylodiscitis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for establishing the diagnosis in the early stages of the disease, as late diagnosis can lead to abscess formation and the need for drainage.
authors: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece. pantelis.kraniotis@gmail.com.
authors: Pantelis
authors: P
authors: Kraniotis
authors: Markos
authors: M
authors: Marangos
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Lekkou
authors: Odysseas
authors: O
authors: Romanos
authors: Ekaterini
authors: E
authors: Solomou