Unusual Case of Pelvic Osteomyelitis Revealing Osteoporosis

Pelvic osteomyelitis is an uncommon and challenging condition to treat. Pressure ulcers, spinal injuries, contiguous sources of tracking infections, pelvic surgical procedures, traumatic injuries and open fractures all serve as nidi for developing pelvic osteomyelitis. We present a case of pelvic osteomyelitis suspected to be caused by insufficiency fractures due to osteoporosis in an anorexic adult.51 year old postmenopausal Caucasian female with undiagnosed anorexia presented to the hospital for severe right-sided pelvic pain and nausea. She denied fevers, vomiting, trauma, surgical procedures, history of pelvic infections, abnormal vaginal discharge, travel, prolonged steroid therapy. She disclosed a strict vegetarian diet, excessive daily exercise, low dairy intake and over 100lb intentional weight loss over the past 30 years. She reported normal menses, used oral contraceptives between ages of 25 to 30, and reached menopause at 49 years. For many years, she denied medical care including age-appropriate cancer screenings. She is employed in academia and denies tobacco, alcohol or drug use. On admission, height 153cm and weight 43kg, BMI 16.7kg/m(2). Examination was notable for frail body habitus, moderate RLQ and pelvic tenderness, prominent PSIS and SI joints with decreased RLE range of motion. Laboratory results showed calcium 9.5mg/dL (n 8.6–10.4), phosphorus 4.1mg/dL (2.5–4.5), ALP 181IU/L (45–115), PTH 23pg/dL (n 9–76), Vitamin D 35ng/dL (n 25–80), 24-hour urinary calcium 285mg/24h (n 50–400). Abdominopelvic CT scan showed chronic right pubic ramus and bilateral sacral insufficiency fractures confirmed on MRI with septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis, osteomyelitis of pubic bodies and intramuscular abscess extending to the right adductor muscle. Wound culture was positive for Streptococcus viridans and pelvic bone biopsy showed degenerative changes. The patient completed IV Ceftriaxone therapy and underwent DXA scan confirming osteoporosis (T-scores:-3.8 lumbar spine L1-L4, -3.6 left femoral neck, -3.3 right femoral neck). Alendronate 10mg daily and calcium citrate-vitamin D 1000mg-800IU twice daily was prescribed. Diagnostic workup for secondary causes of severe osteoporosis was unremarkable except for hypercalciuria, for which calcium supplement was held with a plan to repeat in the future. Concern for her cachectic appearance and severity of her illness also elicited a dietician referral. Pelvic osteomyelitis and septic arthritis are seldom found without inciting insults. We report an atypical cause of presumed anorexia induced osteoporosis resulting in pelvic osteomyelitis. Untreated osteoporosis may lead to fracture, resulting in inflammation and predisposing patients to infections. Thus, early recognition and evaluation of osteoporosis in patients at high risk for fracture, such as patients with anorexia, is critical for prevention.