Right psoas abscess following right flank trauma: a case report

Abstract

Iliopsoas abscess which was first described by Mynter in 1881 as "psoitis"; is a collection of pus in the iliopsoas compartment.^1,2 It is a relatively rare disease and a high index of clinical suspicion, the past and recent history of the patient and imaging studies can be helpful in diagnosing the disease.⁴

This is a case of 15 year old boy who presented with three weeks history of right flank pain, two weeks history of fever and five days history of inability to walk well. There was history of right flank trauma a week before the onset of right flank pain. He had earlier presented in two different hospitals before he was brought to our facility but there was no improvement in his condition due to lack of appropriate diagnosis and treatment. However, following the correct diagnosis of psoas abscess, he was managed with antibiotics, analgesics, nutritional support and incision and drainage with significant success. Hence, appropriate diagnosis and early skillful intervention are important in the management of psoas abscess; and family physician who is the first point of contact for patient in health care system must be proficient in this skills and where the skill is not available, he/she must provide referral.

Keywords: Right iliopsoas abscess, Psoitis, flank trauma, right flank pain, family physician