A Case of an Isolated Abscess in an Extraocular Muscle

PURPOSE: To report the case of an isolated abscess in an extraocular muscle. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of an isolated abscess in an extraocular muscle in a patient who was treated with systemic chemotherapy for precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia. A 54-year-old female who had undergone systemic chemotherapy for precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia presented with right ocular pain and limited eye movements. On ophthalmic examination, she had elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and limited upward and downward gaze. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examination revealed an isolated abscess in right inferior rectus muscle. Although the patient was treated with empirical intravenous antibiotics and IOP-lowering agents, the size of the abscess increased, as confirmed by MRI findings. Therefore, we performed a pus drainage procedure by the transconjunctival approach. We were not able to find any residual abscess lesions on CT scans 3 months postoperatively. The patient's ocular pain disappeared and the limited eye movements improved significantly 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: There have been no case reports of an isolated abscess in an extraocular muscle in Korea. For immunocompromised patients unresponsive to systemic empirical antibiotic treatment, an early pus drainage procedure by the transconjunctival approach may be a useful and effective therapeutic method in the management of an idiopathic isolated abscess in an extraocular muscle.

Parapharyngeal Abscess in Immunocompromised Patients

Parapharyngeal abscess is a serious medical condition that may lead to life-threatening complications. Its incidence has dramatically decreased since the advent of antibiotics. We report two cases of parapharyngeal abscesses in immunocompromised patients. We believe that early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgery and pus drainage can prevent serious complications.

Clinical Analysis of Early Intervention of Pelviscopic Pus Drainage in the Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the early pelviscopic intervention in the acute pelvic inflammatory disease of reproductive aged female. METHODS: A clinical evaluation for 30 women who underwent pelviscopic pus drainage in the pelvic inflammatory disease from September 2001 to December 2004 was done. This study group was compared with the control group that 34 cases of intravenous antibiotics treatment performed and we evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings were recorded for all patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was 7.8 days and 6.9 days respectively (p=0.25). There was statistical difference in regarding to febrile status period, that is febrile status was significantly improved in pelviscopy group. The febrile status of the study group was normalized within postoperative third day except 1 case that postoperative hematoma was formed in cul de sac, but it was not normalized within hospital fifth day in 6 cases (27%) of the control group (p=0.05). But there was no statistical difference between the two groups in regarding to clinical symptom free period except febrile status, WBC count change, and ESR/CRP count change. CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant difference was found between the two groups in regarding to clinical progress. But this study suggested that the early pelviscopic pus drainage was effective first line treatment method for the acute pelvic inflammatory disease with less complications and relatively rapid clinical improvement. However further study with more expanded cases that early pelviscopic intervention was done for the prevention of long term complications of pelvic inflammatory disease will be needed.