A Challenging Case of Retroperitoneal Abscess in a Post-Partum Crohn's Disease Patient

Native Hip Septic Arthritis in the Setting of Postpartum Gynecologic Infection: A Case Report

CASE

A 34-year-old healthy G3P3 woman, 1.5 weeks postpartum, presented with hip pain, fever, and a rash. Clinical examination, laboratory testing, and microbiologic cultures identified bacterial arthritis of the right hip; obstetric/gynecologic examination and cultures identified endometrial, vaginal, and urinary tract infections caused by the same pathogen, group A streptococcus, likely contracted from her 5-year-old son who had streptococcal pharyngitis. She underwent successful surgical decompression of the hip with concurrent medical management of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

CONCLUSIONS

Hematogenously spread septic arthritis may occur in the absence of positive blood cultures during the postpartum period, increasing the risk of developing TSS.

Imaging findings and clinical features of atypical retroperitoneal abscess caused by duodenal perforation: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

A retroperitoneal abscess caused by duodenal perforation is a relatively rare disease clinically. We report the case of a patient with a local high-density shadow at the head of the retroperitoneal pancreas.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old Chinese man presented with fever and abdominal pain after overeating and heavy drinking. On physical examination, he had mild tenderness in his upper abdomen. Laboratory examination results showed a white blood cell count of 24.06 10⁹/L and a neutrophil absolute value of 18.81 10⁹/L, and a computed tomography scan showed an irregular soft tissue mass with uneven enhancement of the cystic wall in the retroperitoneal space. Gastroscopy showed that there was a fistula in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. Endoscopic anastomosis clip system (over-the-scope clip) of the duodenal fistula was performed successfully. After the operation, nasal feeding was provided with a nutrition tube, and empiric anti-infection, acid-inhibiting, and stomach-protecting treatments were administered. Our patient’s body temperature gradually returned to normal, and his abdominal pain decreased.

Conclusions

A retroperitoneal abscess caused by duodenal perforation can be diagnosed by clinical symptoms and abdominal computed tomography imaging. The choice of treatment should be based on accurate and timely clinical and imaging data.