Pyogenic psoas abscess: case series and literature review

From 1998 to 2008, six patients with pyogenic psoas abscesses were managed. Pain and fever were the most common presentations. Two patients had primary pyogenic abscesses and four had secondary pyogenic abscesses. The diagnoses were made either by computed tomography scans (50%) or magnetic resonance imaging and pus culture were obtained. The associated conditions included: perinepheric abscess (1); lumbar discitis (2); and infected thrombosed abdominal aortic aneurysm (1). Five patients underwent radiologically-guided percutaneous drainage and one required open surgical drainage of the abscess cavity. Optimal results were achieved in all cases except one who died of acute myocardial infarction.