Unusual presentation of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection as a chest wall abscess

Abstract

Chest wall abscess may develop due to primary infection, thoracic wall surgery or trauma. Treatment modality includes identification of the etiology, appropriate antibiotherapy and also surgical drainage in necessary conditions. We reported a 56 year old male who admitted to our clinic with a painful swelling on his back which developed rapid enlargement within two weeks. Computed tomography showed agreement with an abscess formation on the left lateral and posterior chest wall but was unable to diagnose any pathologic involvement in the lung parenchyma or ribs. We performed surgical drainage of the extrapleural collection that presented the growth of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in the postoperative studies. The aim of our report is to introduce an unusual and rare clinical presentation of the bacteria as an extrapulmonary manifestation which required surgical drainage.