Prognostic nutritional index as outcome predictor in patients with iliopsoas abscess

Cases with iliopsoas abscess (IPA) in a single hospital-based cases were reviewed and compared with clinical profiles of published hospital-based IPA series. To verify usefulness of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) used to predict outcome and severity of IPA, this study was performed. This study consists of 2 parts: Study 1 - Case review of IPA series in a single hospital: 7 cases with IPA treated in a single hospital in sequential 5 years were collected (series 1) and their clinical profiles compared. Study 2 - Review of hospital-based literature: A search of the PubMed database from 1990 to the present was performed, using the Boolean expression ([Psoas OR iliopsoas] AND [abscess] AND [hospital-based]). Two hospital-based case series were collected. The clinical profiles of 2 series were compared with series 1 to draw predictive factors of outcome and deciding treatment modality, medical or surgical. Study 1 - Analyzing 7 IPA cases, average age was 76.7 years old (varying from 64 to 91) and the lifesaving rate was 86%. PNI < 45, calculated with serum albumin (Alb) and total lymphocyte count, and larger cumulative abscess volume (CAV) measured by computed tomography seem outcome predictors. Study 2 - Analyzing 2 hospital-based IPA series (series 2 and 3), series 2 reviewed isolated IPA cases without any comorbidities and series 3 reviewed IPA cases with cardiovascular disorders. Among 3 series including ours, series 1 showed oldest case and longer length of hospitalization. Series 3 showed the highest mortality among 3 because it collected IPA with cardiovascular comorbidities. PNI seems predictors of outcome and disease activity in patients with IPA and might indicate treated with surgical intervention.