2017 Volume 60 Issue 3 Pages 253-259
An 80-year-old man with type 2 diabetes was hospitalized because of a fever. A considerable number of white blood cells were found in the urinary sediment. He had a white blood cell count in the peripheral blood of 22,300/μL and serum C-reactive protein of 27.6 mg/dL. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral hydronephrosis and irregular tumors in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, leading to a diagnosis of pyelonephritis and abscess of the corpus cavernosum. The administration of antibiotics was subsequently initiated. On the seventh hospital day, a sensation of heat and swelling developed in his left knee. Pus was found in his left knee by centesis. Because pyogenic arthritis of the left knee and osteomyelitis of the left distal femur were diagnosed on MRI, continuous closed irrigation was initiated. An incision was performed in the corpus cavernosum. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in the urine, blood and pus cultures from the corpus cavernosum and knee joint. He was discharged on the 45th hospital day after making satisfactory recovery. An abscess in the corpus cavernosum is a rare condition that is difficult to cure, but proper drainage can lead to a good prognosis.
