Retroperitoneoscopic Drainage of Psoas Abscess: A Systematic Review

Utilizing Video-Assisted Retroperitoneal Debridement for Retroperitoneal Abscess Following Penetrating Trauma

Retroperitoneal abscess as a sequela of penetrating trauma can pose a difficult clinical scenario for surgeons and literature to inform decision making is sparse. It is logical to follow a "step-up" approach applied to other etiologies of infected retroperitoneal fluid collections, such as infected pancreatic necrosis and perinephric abscess. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a well-established approach in infected pancreatic necrosis when surgical debridement is warranted. Minimally invasive retroperitoneal approaches have emerged in a broadening range of etiologies and specialties. We describe our experience utilizing VARDs in two patients that developed retroperitoneal abscesses following gunshot injuries to bowel and proximal urinary system. Both failed a conservative approach including antibiotic and percutaneous drains. Rapid improvement and subsequent discharge were observed within days of VARD procedure. We believe VARD to be a viable approach to post-trauma retroperitoneal abscesses when surgical drainage is indicated, and anatomy is favorable.

A large iliopsoas abscess due to colon cancer complicated by bowel obstruction: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Iliopsoas abscesses (IPAs) associated with bowel obstruction due to colon cancer are rare, and there is no consensus regarding treatment strategies.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 63-year-old man presented with swelling and pain in the right iliac region. Imaging studies revealed an IPA expanding from the psoas major muscle and retroperitoneal space subcutaneously around the right ilium. After percutaneous drainage, the patient developed bowel obstruction secondary to colon cancer. Hemicolectomy and preventive ileostomy were performed at the gastrointestinal surgery department, and chemotherapy was administered at the medical oncology department after ileostomy closure. Three months later, local recurrence was confirmed in the right iliac region, and the recurrent lesion, including the ilium, was widely resected. One and a half years after the reoperation, there was no recurrence.

DISCUSSION

An IPA due to colorectal cancer without obvious perforation can also occur, and the treatment of IPAs depends on their size, location, shape, and presence of gas. Minimally invasive and staged treatment is preferable for IPAs due to colorectal cancer because the surgical mortality rate for colorectal cancer with local abscesses is high.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal cancer should be considered as a cause of IPAs. Treatment of IPAs caused by colon cancer should be performed in a less invasive manner after considering their size, location, shape, and the presence of gas. Cooperation between gastrointestinal surgeons and oncologists is essential for managing patients with an IPA due to colon cancer complicated by bowel obstruction.

A gigantic iliopsoas abscess in a patient with Alexander's disease

Key Clinical Message

This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of iliopsoas abscess in patients with communication difficulties and appropriate treatment to prevent further complications.

Abstract

We report a case in which the detection of an iliopsoas abscess was delayed due to difficulty in communication but was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage. A 70-year-old man with a 38-39°C fever and 5.69 mg/dL C-reactive protein. Adult-onset Alexander's illness, affected his swallowing, speech, coordination, and motor function. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a big iliopsoas abscess. Antibacterial treatment followed percutaneous draining. Drainage reduced temperature and inflammation. Four months later, the iliopsoas abscess returned, the second drainage eliminated recurrence. Difficulty in communicating was a contributing factor to the delayed diagnosis of a giant iliopsoas abscess. In the treatment of such patients, percutaneous drainage seems effective as an initial therapy.

Clinical presentation of idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia

An otherwise healthy man (60s) presented to our emergency department 5 years ago with stroke-like symptoms. Underlying cryptococcal meningitis infection was ultimately discovered leading to extensive workup to rule out underlying malignancy and HIV infection. Results returned negative with the exception of a CD4 count less than 25 /mm3 Several years later, he again presented to the emergency department with fatigue. He was then found to have severe anaemia with underlying Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection involving the bone marrow and a left psoas abscess. After multiple courses of antibiotic therapy targeted towards MAC, the infection persisted due to bone marrow involvement. By diagnosis of exclusion, he was eventually found to have idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. Here we describe this condition, which has the potential to cause significant morbidity, and obligates the need for high clinical suspicion for timely diagnosis to enhance life quality and outcomes for patients.

Anaerobic spondylodiscitis: a retrospective analysis

Background

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with anaerobic spondylodiscitis.

Methods

From a total of 382 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis, nine patients (2.4%; two male and seven female with an average age of 67 years) with anaerobic spondylodiscitis between March 2003 and March 2017 were analyzed.

Results

Most of the patients (77.8%) initially presented with afebrile back pain. Hematogenous spread occurred in seven patients and postoperative infection in two patients. Bacteroid fragilis was the most common pathogen isolated from three patients. Atypical radiographic characteristics, including a vertebral fracture with the preservation of disk height or coexisting spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, occurred in four patients with hematogenous anaerobic spondylodiscitis. The eradication rate of anaerobic infection was significantly higher in the patients with hematogenous infection than in those with postoperative infection (100% vs. 0%, p = 0.0476). Anaerobic spondylodiscitis accounted for 2.4% of cases of infectious spondylodiscitis and predominantly affected the female patients.

Conclusions

Diagnostic delay may occur because of atypical spinal radiographs if the patient reports only back pain but no fever. Anaerobic infection following elective spinal instrumentation has a higher recurrence rate.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Drainage of Iliopsoas Abscess With Septicemia in an Adolescent: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction

Iliopsoas abscess with septicemia in the pediatric population is rare. Early diagnosis and effective management of this emergent disorder remain challenging for clinicians.

Case Presentation

A 14-year-old girl presented with right lateral and posterior hip pain and fever for 7 days before admission. Blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed abscesses located in the right iliopsoas muscle and on the surface deep to the fascia of the right sacroiliac joint that were 6.8 cm × 6.2 cm × 5.7 cm and 3.7 cm × 3.5 cm × 2.1 cm, respectively. A diagnosis of right iliopsoas abscesses with septicemia was made. The patient received intravenous antibiotics, underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage, and recovered uneventfully. Medical literature regarding this issue published in the English language during the last two decades was reviewed.

Discussion

Primary synchronous psoas and iliacus muscle abscesses are rare and emergent disorders in the pediatric age group. The diagnosis is generally delayed owing to the deep anatomic location and nonspecific signs and symptoms. A comprehensive medical history, meticulous physical examination, and judicious use of imaging studies could establish a timely and accurate diagnosis. Surgeons should be aware of the occurrence of multiple abscesses. Prompt and adequate antibiotic therapy accompanied by a mini-invasive approach, such as ultrasound-guided, laparoscopic, or video-retroperitoneoscopic drainage of the infectious focus, if indicated and feasible, is important to achieve a good outcome in the management of iliopsoas abscess.

A rare occurrence of psoas abscess with uterine didelphys and renal agenesis: A case report

Introduction

Mullerian duct anomaly such as uterine didelphys is a rare congenital anomaly of female genitourinary tract presenting with dysmenorrhea, hematocolpus, and subfertility in adolescent females. It is commonly associated with wolffian duct anomaly like renal agenesis. Here we present a rare association of psoas abscess with uterine didelphys and renal agenesis in a 21-year-old unmarried female.

Case presentation

We report a case of 21-year-old female presenting with right hip pain, recurrent genital infections and dysmenorrhea. Her labs suggested infectious etiology whereas radiological investigation revealed right psoas abscess. In addition, she was found to have uterine didelphys with pyometra, right adnexal mass, and right renal agenesis.

Clinical discussion

Uterine didelphys commonly present with dysmenorrhea and hematocolpos along with various non-specific symptoms. Patients can develop psoas abscess secondary to uterine didelphys, but uterine didelphys presenting with psoas abscess is fairly rare. Psoas abscess on itself is a difficult condition to diagnose, more so when associated with rare uterine anomalies.

Conclusion

This case highlights the possibility of psoas abscess as a primary presentation of Mullerian duct anomaly. Further, a differential of uterine didelphys should be considered in every reproductive age female presenting with recurrent pelvic infection.

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When a reproductive-age women presents with recurrent pelvic infections, a differential of Mullerian duct anomalies should always be sought out despite the absence of its classical symptoms.

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Uterine didelphys can also present with rectal, abdominal, or hip pain due abscess formation in related organs and surrounding communicating structures.

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Our case is an example of atypical presentation of uterine didelphys where the patient presented with psoas abscess which is rare in this entity.