A Rare Case of Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Bilateral Psoas Abscess From an Unknown Source

Abstract

We present a case of a 31-year-old Filipino man with vertebral osteomyelitis and bilateral psoas abscesses. Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare infection of the bone and bone marrow that affects the vertebral column. The patient's initial presentation included a 1-week history of cough, fatigue, diarrhea, fevers, and a 40-pound weight loss. An extensive workup including a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated bilateral psoas abscesses with subcutaneous air tracking into the right flank. Blood cultures revealed Escherichia coli, Streptococcus anginosus, and Bacteroides. However, with an unclear primary source of infection, the most likely causative factor we believed to be due to immobility.