Piriformis pyomyositis with sciatica: an unrecognized complication of "unsafe" abortions.

We report the case of a patient who presented with right sciatic pain as a manifestation of piriformis muscle syndrome 1 month after a clandestine- induced abortion. MRI revealed the presence of a piriformis abscess. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from blood cultures and from the purulent material obtained by CT-guided aspiration. Piriformis pyomyositis should be recognized as a potential complication of "unsafe" abortions that if left untreated could progress to sepsis and death.