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Primary psoas abscess--diagnostic and therapeutic considerations
1Department of Urology, Institution Medical College, Kerala, India.
British Journal of Urology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Primary psoas abscesses in India predominantly affect men and often lack typical symptoms like limping. Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for diagnosis, with antibiotics and aspiration proving effective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Primary psoas abscess is a rare condition.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to atypical presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the experience with primary psoas abscess diagnosis and treatment in India.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and effective management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of five male patients diagnosed with primary psoas abscess between July 1993 and December 1995.
- Clinical presentation, diagnostic methods (including Computed Tomography - CT), and treatment outcomes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- All five patients were male, with three being elderly.
- Common symptoms included fever and abdominal pain; classical signs like limping were absent.
- Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated high accuracy for diagnosis.
- Treatment with antibiotics alone or combined with percutaneous aspiration was curative.
Conclusions:
- Primary psoas abscess in this series predominantly affected men and presented without classical symptoms.
- The absence of limping and presence of loin pain can mislead urologists, delaying diagnosis.
- CT imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis, and non-surgical treatments are effective.