[Treatment of psoas abscess: percutaneous drainage or open surgery].
OBJECTIVE
Psoas abscess is currently an uncommon disease and is often difficult to diagnose because of its minor initial symptoms. We compare treatment by percutaneous drainage and surgery.


METHODS
Five patients, all immunodepressed, which appears to be an important factor in the aetiology and pathogenesis of psoas abscess. Computed tomography appears to be the best diagnostic method.


RESULTS
Three subjects underwent open surgery and developed serious complications in contrast with two patients treated by CT-guided percutaneous drainage, preceded by antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
First-line percutaneous drainage appears to be the best approach at the present time, reserving open surgery for very large abscesses.
Conde Redondo
C
C
Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, Valladolid, Espagne.
Estebanez Zarranz
J
J
Rodrigues Toves
A
A
Amon Sesmero
J
J
Simal
F
F
Martinez Sagarra
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative