Bilateral Primary Iliopsoas Abscess with Bilateral Hip Septic Arthritis - A Rare Case Report

Iliopsoas abscess is an uncommon condition, often with insidious and nonspecific symptoms. Patients often present with a limp, fever, weight loss, and flank or abdominal pain. An iliopsoas abscess can be either primary or secondary depending on the presence or absence of an underlying disease. Primary abscess is very common in Asia and other developing countries. If untreated, iliopsoas abscess can spread to lower limbs, compress iliac vein, ureter and can end up in sepsis. There have been only a very small number of cases of psoas abscess with associated hip septic arthritis reported so far. Bilateral iliopsoas abscess is also a rare entity.

We report here a 58-year-old diabetic lady with fever and both hip pain subsequent to a fall at home one month back around one 1 month before. . She was initially seen elsewhere, and a diagnosis of L4-L5 disc bulge was made following which rest , analgesics and steroids were given. Later, repeat magnetic resonance imageMRI showed bilateral Iliacus abscess and bilateral hip synovitis. She was started on anti anti-tuberculosis medications and referred to us. We investigated for occult sources of infection and did bilateral iliopsoas abscess drainage followed by staged bilateral total hip replacement. She now continues to be symptom free .

Our patient had primary bilateral iliopsoas abscess with bilateral hip Streptococcus faeeacalis septic arthritis. It has not been reported in the literature till now .

Early diagnosis through meticulous clinical examination and investigations is important in treatment of the abscess and reducing morbidity and mortality.