Idiopathic Sternoclavicular Osteomyelitis Masquerading as a Pyomyositis Medically Managed with Antibiotics and Hyperbaric Oxygen

Abstract

We report the case of a patient who presented with erythema and swelling over the chest and neck following chiropractic spinal manipulation. Staphylococcus aureus pyomyositis of the right sternocleidomastoid was initially diagnosed, although subsequent magnetic resonance imaging confirmed sepsis arising from the sternoclavicular joint. This was treated successfully with a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Sternoclavicular osteomyelitis is usually managed with surgical resection and rarely medically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a sternoclavicular osteomyelitis successfully managed with a combination of antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.