A case of delayed diagnosis in persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia illustrating the importance of empiric imaging.

We present a case of persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) with delayed diagnosis of deep-seated asymptomatic abscesses leading to an unnecessarily prolonged hospital stay and significant morbidity. This case suggests that early empiric nuclear imaging might have led to earlier source control and, in turn, reduced morbidity. In addition, the case illustrates that even with a presumed superficial source of infection, one should still search thoroughly for additional and perhaps clinically occult secondary foci in patients with high-risk SAB.