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Updated: May 7, 2026
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Posterior Approach for Debridement of the Psoas Abscess
Published on: March 2, 2020
[Psoas abscess associated with hip arthroplasty infection]
Ibon López-Zabala1, Sebastián García-Ramiro, Guillem Bori
1Ibon López Zabala, Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Instituto Clinic de Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas (ICEMEQ), Hospital Clínic. Universitat de Barcelona, C/ Villarroel 170. 08036 Barcelona, Spain. lopez.ibon@gmail.com.
Summary
Psoas abscesses linked to hip arthroplasty infections are rare. Computerized tomography (CT) identified these abscesses, and two-stage revision surgery led to good outcomes in most patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Infectious disease diagnostics
- Radiology
Background:
- Psoas abscess is a rare complication of hip arthroplasty infection.
- This study reviews the experience with this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of computerized tomography (CT) in identifying psoas abscesses associated with hip arthroplasty infections.
- To report on the outcomes of patients treated for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with psoas abscess and hip arthroplasty infection via CT from 2004 to 2009.
- Data collected included demographics, microbiology, CT findings, and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Seven cases of psoas abscess associated with hip arthroplasty infection were identified out of 214 evaluated patients.
- Direct communication between the abscess and prosthesis was observed in all cases.
- Gram-positive cocci were the most common pathogens; six of seven patients achieved remission after two-stage revision surgery.
Conclusions:
- CT is effective in diagnosing psoas abscesses in suspected hip arthroplasty infections.
- Two-stage revision surgery with extensive debridement is associated with favorable clinical outcomes for this rare complication.
