WHAT IS PYOMYOSITIS?

Pyomyositis, also known as tropical pyomyositis or myositis tropicans, is a bacterial infection of the skeletal muscles which results in a pus-filled abscess.

Pyomyositis is most common in tropical areas but can also occur in temperate zones.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PYOMYOSITIS

Signs and symptoms of pyomyositis may include:

  1. Pain and
  2. Tenderness of the affected muscle
  3. Fever and
  4. Abscess formation and if left untreated the abscess may extend into the bone and joint or blood poisoning may occur.

WHAT CAUSES PYOMYOSITIS?

Pyomyositis is a primary infection of the skeletal muscle usually caused by staphylococcus aureus. This infectious disease is endemic in tropical areas and sporadic in temperature climates where it mostly affects immuno compromised patients.

TYPES OF PYOMYOSITIS

  1. TROPICAL PYOMYOITIS: is characterized by suppuration within skeletal muscles, manifesting as single or multiple abscesses. Though primarily a disease of tropics, it is increasingly being reported from temperate regions in immunosuppressed patients. However, India has only few sporadic case reports.

 HOW IS PYOMYOSITIS DIAGNOSED?

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate response the therapy. Although pyomyositis is a rare disease, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of immediate onset of musculoskeletal pain in children.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR PYOMYOSITIS?

During the suppurative phase, abscess aspiration under ultrasonic or CT guidance may be required. Surgical drainage is especially necessary for large abscesses.