CME CASE STUDY Presentation of Osteitis and Osteomyelitis Pubis as Acute Abdominal Pain By Diane V Pham, MD Kendall G Scott, MD Abstract Case Presentation Osteitis pubis is the most common inflammatory condi- A previously healthy male, age 17 years, presented tion of the pubic symphysis and may present as acute ab- with a three-day history of severe right lower quadrant dominal, pelvic, or groin pain. Osteomyelitis pubis can abdominal pain. Initial workup findings, including those occur concurrently and spontaneously with osteitis pu- for a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and bis. Primary care physicians should consider these con- pelvis, were normal, and he was treated with nonste- ditions in patients presenting with abdominal and pelvic roidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). He returned pain. A thorough history, including type of physical ac- two days later with a fever of 38.3°C and worsening tivity, and a focused physical examination will be useful, sharp, constant abdominal pain, radiating to the supra- and imaging modalities may be helpful. A biopsy and pubic area and exacerbated by movement. He was nau- culture of the pubic symphysis will usually confirm the seated and anorectic and vomited nonbilious, diagnosis. Treatment for osteitis pubis generally involves nonbloody material once. His past medical history and rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Failure with this a review of systems provided no new insights. His abdomen was soft and nondistended, but he ex- conservative treatment should alert the physician to the Osteitis pubis is hibited right lower quadrant tenderness with involun- possibility of osteomyelitis, which needs treatment with a common tary guarding and rebound tenderness. The psoas, ob- antibiotics. Prognosis for recovery is excellent with de- but often turator, and Rovsing’s signs were positive; rectal finitive diagnosis and treatment. undiagnosed examination findings were normal. The leukocyte count condition causing Introduction was 12,400 cells/mL, with a polymorphonuclear leu- pain in the pubic Abdominal pain may be the presenting symptom in kocytosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed no defini- area, groin, and a wide range of diseases. This proposes a difficult chal- tive intra-abdominal pathology, although a long, mildly lower rectus lenge for the primary care physician. Acute pain often engorged retroperitoneal appendix was removed; the abdominal requires emergency surgical intervention, but unnec- pathologist found no inflammation. muscle. essary invasive procedures can be avoided when a good Fever and worsening abdominal and suprapubic pain Osteomyelitis history is taken and thorough physical examination is persisted, with pain radiating to both groins and pre- pubis is an conducted. Osteitis pubis is a common but often undi- venting ambulation. Additional detailed history uncov- infectious disease agnosed condition causing pain in the pubic area, groin, ered the information that the patient was an avid col- with clinical and lower rectus abdominal muscle. Osteomyelitis pubis lege soccer and tennis player and had participated in a manifestations is an infectious disease with clinical manifestations simi- soccer tournament the previous week. Examination now similar to those lar to those of osteitis pubis. These conditions are of- showed tenderness in the right lower quadrant and of osteitis pubis. ten overlooked as or masked by abdominal pain, which suprapubic and bilateral groin areas, tenderness of the may lead to unnecessary tests and procedures. This pubic symphysis, and worsening pain with abduction case report discusses the onset of acute abdominal pain of either hip. He developed bilateral inguinal lymphad- in an athlete with both osteomyelitis and osteitis pu- enopathy, with no evident skin lesion. He had nega- bis. It is important to recognize that both conditions tive findings on blood tests including total protein, al- may occur simultaneously in one patient. Failure to bumin, liver tests, complement components 3 and 4, identify both disease processes could lead to inaccu- creatine kinase, aldolase, beta2-microglobulin, anti-DNA, rate treatment and lifelong complications. and antinuclear antibody panel. His erythrocyte sedi- Diane V Pham, MD, (left) is a third-year family medicine resident at the Fontana Medical Center, CA. E-mail: [email protected]. Kendall G Scott, MD, (right) is the Program Director for the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Residency Program in Fontana and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Education at Loma Linda University, CA. E-mail: [email protected]. The Permanente Journal/ Spring 2007/ Volume 11 No. 2 65 CASE STUDY Presentation of Osteitis and Osteomyelitis Pubis as Acute Abdominal Pain mentation rate (ESR) was 109 mm/h and C-reactive bly follow seemingly normal spontaneous vaginal de- protein (CRP) level was 11.6 mg/dL; his leukocyte count livery or, as in the patient described here, athletic ac- remained elevated. tivity.7–9 Causative organisms differ according to risk A pelvic radiograph showed slight deformity of the factors. Patients with recent pelvic surgery usually have right suprapubic ramus at the level of the pubic sym- polymicrobial infection, involving fecal flora. Staphy- physis, with irregularity of the iliac wing at the anterior lococcus aureus is the major cause among athletes, iliac spine region. A 99mtechnetium methyl diphosphonate whereas pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is the pre- bone scan showed increased radiotracer ac- dominant pathogen in intravenous drug users.6 tivity in the left superior pubic ramus, left The remainder of this discussion focuses on occur- Although the anterior iliac crest, and right posterior iliac rence of osteitis and osteomyelitis pubis in the athlete. precise crest. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging etiology of (MRI) scan revealed multiple enlarged right Anatomy and Pathomechanics osteitis pubis inguinal lymph nodes and an increased sig- The pubic symphysis is a rigid, fibrocartilaginous joint remains nal in the right inferior pubic ramus and right between the pubic rami. The abdominal muscles, con- unknown, ilium bone marrow, with muscular changes. sisting of the rectus abdominus and external and inter- trauma during These findings were consistent with osteo- nal oblique muscles, attach distally to the inguinal liga- surgery or myelitis and osteitis pubis. It was decided that ment, conjoined tendon, and pubic symphysis. The childbirth is a confirmatory pubic biopsy was not needed. adductor muscles, consisting of the pectineus, adduc- responsible The patient was treated with intravenous tor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gra- for most cefazolin, ibuprofen, and bed rest. Over a cilis, arise from the superior and inferior rami of the cases. week his condition improved markedly; he pubis.10 These two muscle groups act antagonistically became afebrile and he was able to ambulate to stabilize the symphysis. Any muscle imbalances be- with assistance. His white blood cell count tween the abdominal and hip adductor muscles may normalized; his ESR and CRP level were descending. cause osteitis pubis.11 He was discharged to complete a six-week antibiotic Sprinting, cutting, and kicking activities involving regimen via a peripherally inserted central catheter, plus jumping, twisting, or turning motions cause microtrauma ibuprofen and physical therapy. His ESR and CRP level and shear stress across the pubic symphysis, resulting normalized, but he was not completely asymptom- in inflammation. These repetitive movements occur in atic until three months later, at which time he returned running, soccer, tennis, ice hockey, and football, but to his normal soccer and tennis training. any active person may present with osteitis pubis. Thus it must be considered in any patient with groin, hip, or Discussion abdominal pain.12 Osteomyelitis pubis, a bacterial in- Background fection of the pubic symphysis or adjacent bone also Edwin Beer first described osteitis pubis in 1924 in has been reported to occur spontaneously in athletes.13 patients undergoing suprapubic surgery.1 It is the most common inflammatory disease of the pubic symphysis. Clinical Findings and Diagnosis It can be seen in any patient population but is more A detailed medical history, including the actual mo- prevalent in men ages 30 to 49 years.2 Although the tions the patient repeats during sports activity and a fa- precise etiology of osteitis pubis remains unknown, miliarity with the possible mechanisms of injury, can trauma during surgery or childbirth is responsible for lead the physician to a more accurate diagnosis. Thor- most cases. Infection seems to be a predisposing fac- ough examination of the groin, abdomen, hips, spine, tor.3,4 Biopsies of the pubic symphysis and adjacent bony and lower extremities is crucial.14 Patients with osteitis areas show signs of subacute and chronic inflammation pubis can present with vague unilateral or bilateral com- involving the periosteum, bone, and cartilage.4 plaints of abdominal, pelvic, or groin pain. Usually in- Osteomyelitis pubis is often misdiagnosed as osteitis sidious in nature, it can occasionally be acute, sharp, pubis, until conservative treatment for osteitis pubis burning pain in athletes after prolonged activity. Use of fails.5 Risk factors for osteomyelitis pubis include fe- the abdominal or adductor muscles (eg, running, pivot- male incontinence surgery, sports injury, pelvic malig- ing, and kicking) exacerbates the