Obturator internal muscle (OIM) abscess or pyomyositis, a poorly recognized intrapelvic infection, is characterized by limping, pain in the hip with limited movement, and the sciatic type of radiating leg pain. With the use of advanced diagnostic tools such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and radionuclide scans, several cases of OIM abscess have been diagnosed; these cases have recently been reported in the English-language literature. Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant organism isolated from OIM abscesses. Gonococcal abscess involving the OIM has not been reported. We describe a case of gonococcal OIM abscess in an adolescent female whose condition was successfully diagnosed and managed with the use of CT-guided needle aspiration and antibiotic therapy. We review the English-language literature regarding the use of newly developed tools in the diagnosis of OIM abscess.

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Stable nitrogen isotope ratios are routinely used to trace the dispersion and assimilation of wastewater-derived N in receiving environments, but few isotope studies have investigated wastewater treatment plants and ponds themselves. An improved understanding of N isotope compositions in effluent will help assess treatment plant processes and performance and will help trace sources of excess nutrients in receiving environments. Here, we assess N budgets and treatment processes in seven wastewater treatment plants and wastewater stabilisation ponds in northern Australia based on concentrations and isotope ratios of N in effluent. We show that δN values in effluent are linked to treatment type, effectiveness of conversion of ammonia and levels of gaseous N emissions. These relationships suggest that N isotope monitoring of wastewater treatment plants and ponds can provide an integrated assessment of treatment performance and gaseous N emissions on a pond- or plant-wide scale that is not readily available through other methods. Our findings further imply that monitoring N isotope ratios in receiving environments cannot be assumed to be universally effective as their sensitivity to uptake of wastewater-derived N will vary with the characteristics of individual treatment systems. Paradoxically, N isotope monitoring is less effective where treatment systems are functioning poorly and where monitoring needs are the greatest.

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With little data available on the quality of stormwater discharging from urban catchments to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the driver for the Smart Catchments: Saltwater Creek project was “If we don’t monitor, we can’t manage”. To do this, near real-time high-frequency discharge and water quality data are needed. A second driver was to make available, for the first time in a GBR catchment, near real-time water quality data for Council’s management actions but also for the community from an education perspective to engage them in water quality issues. Working collaboratively with industry, community, educators and scientists, the project, led by Cairns Regional Council, fulfils a commitment to the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. This paper presents a more holistic and effective approach to monitor and manage water quality runoff from urban catchments.