Psoas abscesses reviewed

• Published in: Tunisie Medicale Vol. 84; no. 2; p. 103
• Main Authors: Loussaïef, Chawki, Toumi, Adnen, Chakroun, Mohamed, Ben Brahim, Hajer, Ben Romdhane, Foued, Bouzouaïa, Noureddine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: Tunisia 01-02-2006
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Fever - microbiology; Humans; Klebsiella pneumoniae - isolation & purification; Low Back Pain - etiology; Male; Middle Aged; Psoas Abscess - diagnosis; Psoas Abscess - microbiology; Psoas Abscess - therapy; Retrospective Studies; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 0041-4131

Psoas abscesses are rare. In the absence of specific symptoms and signs, their diagnosis was usually difficult. Medical imaging advances have helped in their diagnosis and treatment. Eleven cases of psoas abscess were reviewed retrospectively. We tried to determine epidemiologic and clinical features and therapeutic alternatives for this entity. Mean aged 27 years. Three of the 11 cases occurred in females. An underlying disease was observed in three cases. Associated clinical features were fever (n = 11), lumbar pain (n = 10), and psoOtis (n = 5). Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography (n = 10) and computed tomography (n = 1). Blood culture was positive in 6 out of 11 cases: Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5) and Klebsiella pneumonia (n = 1) Staphylococcceus aureus was isolated in 6 abscess pus. Antibiotics were prescribed in all cases for a mean length of 61 days, in association with percutaneous drainage in 5 cases, surgical drainage in one case and abscess puncture in one case. Outcome was favourable in all cases.