Extract
Sepsis about the shoulder girdle is a relatively uncommon clinical entity
that accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of all joint
infections1. Sepsis
of the subscapular space, defined as the area between the subscapularis muscle
and the chest wall, is an extremely rare condition; we identified only two
previously reported cases in our review of the literature, one of which was
fatal because of a delay in
recognition2,3.
Most cases of sepsis about the shoulder, including these two previously
reported cases, are associated with some systemic condition that is causing
immunocompromise or some type of local tissue abnormality, or
both4. We describe
the case of a healthy fifty-three-year-old man in whom an extensive septic
subscapular abscess developed. This particular case is unique in that the
abscess developed spontaneously, with no predisposing factor such as
penetrating trauma, blunt trauma with formation of a hematoma, or a previous
infectious condition. Our patient was informed that data concerning the case
would be submitted for publication.