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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability
Published on: July 25, 2025
Degenerative Disc Disease Mimicking Spondylodiscitis with Bilateral Psoas Abscesses
Alexandre Simonin1, Olivia Paris2, Jean-Philippe Brouland3
1Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Background:
Sequestered disc fragments may present as a lesion with peripheral enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. When located in the psoas muscle compartment, this finding could mimic an abscess.
Case Description:
We describe a case of a 52-year-old man who returned from Togo after 2 years of living in precarious conditions. He was afebrile and complaining of lumbar back pain. The magnetic resonance imaging showed L3 and L4 vertebral body enhancement with bilateral psoas lesions in continuity with the disc space, suggesting spondylodiscitis with a differential diagnosis of inflammatory herniated disc. A computed tomography-guided biopsy of the right psoas lesion was performed to rule out spondylodiscitis. Histology was compatible with extruded disc material.
Conclusion:
Herniated disc fragments should be considered as a differential diagnosis of psoas abscesses. Coronal plane images may show the continuity of bilateral herniated disc fragments, mimicking psoas abscesses.
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