Primary tuberculous psoas abscess as a postpartum complication: Case report and literature review

Primary psoas abscess as a complication of postpartum: A case report

Primary psoas abscess is an uncommon yet critical factor contributing to postpartum sepsis. This report is of a case of postpartum primary psoas abscess in a 24-year-old Moroccan woman. After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, a 24-year-old primiparous Moroccan woman presented to our hospital with a 3-week history of severe left-sided lower abdominal pain that radiated to the anterior aspect of the left thigh. She had been taking ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and paracetamol for a week without any improvement. On examination, she was febrile and pale. The laboratory analysis revealed the presence of microcytic anemia, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and an increased level of C-reactive protein. Computed tomography scans of the abdomen, and pelvis were conducted, revealing a substantial left psoas abscess. Under the guidance of computed tomography, anterior abdominal percutaneous drainage of the abscess was successfully performed. A pan-sensitive Streptococcus agalactiae strain was identified through culture of the specimen. The patient showed a favorable response to treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate and gentamicin. This case illustrates that primary psoas abscess should be considered in cases of any postpartum infectious presentation.

Evaluating Imaging Techniques for Diagnosing and Drainage Guidance of Psoas Muscle Abscess: A Systematic Review

Background: Psoas muscle abscess (PMA) is an uncommon yet severe condition characterized by diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its varied etiology and nonspecific symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of various imaging techniques used in the image-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) of PMA. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for studies published in English from 1998 onwards that reported on the use of PD in treating PMA, detailing outcomes and complications. Imaging modalities guiding PD were also examined. Results: We identified 1570 articles, selecting 39 for full review. Of these, 23 met the inclusion criteria; 19 were excluded due to unspecified PMA, absence of imaging guidance for PD, or inconclusive results. Eleven studies utilized computed tomography (CT) for PD, with six also using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten studies implemented ultrasound (US)-guided PD; variations in diagnostic imaging included combinations of US, CT, and MRI. A mixed approach using both CT and US was reported in two articles. Most studies using CT-guided PD showed complete success, while outcomes varied among those using US-guided PD. No studies employed MRI-guided PD. Conclusions: This review supports a multimodal approach for psoas abscess management, using MRI for diagnosis and CT for drainage guidance. We advocate for Cone Beam CT (CBCT)-MRI fusion techniques with navigation systems to enhance treatment precision and outcomes, particularly in complex cases with challenging abscess characteristics.

Pelvic and central nervous system tuberculosis complicated by a paradoxical response manifesting as a spinal tuberculoma: a case report

Background

The post-partum period is a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), possibly including the period after miscarriage as illustrated here. This case demonstrates how non-specific symptoms can hide widely disseminated TB.

Case presentation

A healthy 26-year-old female with a history of recent miscarriage presented to the emergency department with non-specific symptoms of headache, abdominal pain, and sub-acute fevers. She had immigrated to the United States from the Marshall Islands 9 years prior. Two months prior to presentation she had a miscarriage at 18 weeks of pregnancy. On admission, transvaginal ultrasound revealed retained products of conception and abdominal computed tomography revealed findings consistent with tubo-ovarian abscesses and peritonitis. The obstetrics and gynecology service performed dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove retained products of conception. Acid-fast bacilli cultures from cerebrospinal fluid as well as specimens from D&C and intra-abdominal abscesses subsequently all grew TB. She was diagnosed with TB meningitis, peritonitis, endometritis, and tubo-ovarian abscesses. Her treatment course was complicated by a paradoxical response resulting in a spinal tuberculoma causing lower extremity weakness. The tuberculoma was treated with surgical decompression as well as continuation of treatment with anti-tubercular chemotherapy and steroids.

Conclusion

Disseminated and extrapulmonary TB can present with non-specific symptoms. Recognition of risk factors for TB is critical for prompt diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this deadly disease. A paradoxical reaction needs to be taken into consideration when any new neurological symptoms occur during TB treatment.

Isolated psoas abscess caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis : A rare case report

Psoas tuberculosis abscess is very rarely detected primarily without an adjacent vertebral cold abscess. Early diagnosis prevents unnecessary operations and life‐threatening complications.