Bilateral gluteal abscesses and myofibrosis complicating intramuscular pentazocine abuse: a case report

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of reports on the musculoskeletal complications of pentazocine abuse in Nigeria.The aim was to report a case of bilateral gluteal abscesses and myofibrosis as a consequence of parenteral pentazocine abuse.CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 39 year old housewife who presented with bilateral gluteal pyomyositis and myofibrosis following intramuscular pentazocine abuse.The patient had received parental pentazocine for pain relief for about 3 weeks seven years ago.She gradually developed dependence on this drug and received increasing doses of this drug by self injection on both buttocks. She subsequently developed bilateral gluteal abscesses and myofibrosis that was treated by surgical drainage,debridement,wound dressing and antibiotics.CONCLUSION: Pentazocine abuse should be considered a differential diagnosis in cases of multiple gluteal abscesses.Clinicians should be cautious in the use of pentazocine as routine painkillers.KEYWORDS: Pentazocine abuse,gluteal abscesses,Nigeria