Psoas muscle abscess

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Palpable mass in the left flank. Limitation of motion.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female

CT Abdomen and pelvis

ct

Voluminous encapsulated collection along left psoas muscle. Its walls are thick and enhances with contrast and, because its large dimensions, rejects the kidney and the left colon. There is a smaller collection in the left posterior abdomninal wall which communicates with the largest collection and is associated with densification of the subcutaneous around. 

Case Discussion

This case occurs in an uncontrolled diabetic and hypertensive patient.

Psoas muscle abscess and fluid collections are located in the retrofascial space rather than in the retroperitoneal space because the psoas muscles are located in theiliopsoas compartment posterior to the transversalis fascia, which is the posterior boundary of the retroperitoneum.

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