Introduction Demographics Causes Clinical features Diagnosis Treatment Outcome
Tropical pyomyositis is a rare condition characterised by primary muscle abscesses arising within large skeletal muscles. It was first described by Scriba in 1885.
Tropical pyomyositis most commonly affects children and young adults, who are otherwise healthy. Most are 10–40 years of age, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. It can follow:
Predisposing factors include:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been found to be a strong risk factor for pyomyositis, due to immune compromise, primary HIV myopathy, antiretroviral therapy, and staphylococcal carriage.
Tropical pyomyositis can present with a single or multiple abscesses. The most commonly affected muscles are abdominal, spinal and gluteal muscles, quadriceps, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, biceps, iliopsoas and gastrocnemius.
Tropical pyomyositis has 3 distinct stages.
Initially, there are 1–2 weeks of diffuse (widespread) pain, which may or may not be accompanied by fever. Since infection is deep in the muscle, overlying erythema is usually not seen. It can mimic a haematoma, thrombophlebitis, fasciitis and osteomyelitis.
In the second phase, a mass develops which progressively grows and becomes hard and painful over a further 1–2 weeks. The area is tender to the touch, with a wooden consistency. As the abscess forms, high fevers and systemic symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, and malaise) develop.
If the abscess remains untreated, the third stage develops. The abscess may extend into an adjacent bone or joint, or septicaemia (blood poisoning) may develop. Septicaemia can result in septic shock, kidney failure, metastatic (distant spread of) abscesses and death.
The diagnosis of tropical pyomyositis can be difficult because the condition is rare, and the classical features of an abscess can be hidden by the tense overlying muscles. Laboratory findings can be nonspecific with leucocytosis and elevated ESR/C-reactive protein.
Surgical drainage of abscess: primary wound closure and vacuum drainage promotes better healing.
Appropriate antibiotics are given. Penicillin β-lactamase resistant penicillin (flucloxacillin) and vancomycin are the most commonly used drugs. Broad spectrum empirical antibiotics are needed for patients with HIV infection or other immunosuppressive state.
Treatment is continued till wound is clear of infection and the patient afebrile for 7–10 days.
If diagnosed early, the disease is curable, but delay in diagnosis often leads to a prolonged stay in hospital. Aggressive therapy may be needed.
A higher rate of Gram-negative bacterial infections, bacteremia and mortality is seen in in patients with pyomysoitis when they suffer from an underlying systemic illness.
Mortality is reported to be 10% in temperate regions.
