Bilateral psoas abscesses in an HIV-positive patient.
Patients with HIV can often present a diagnostic challenge and may have atypical presentations of more common diseases. This case demonstrates such a scenario; we describe a 35-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of HIV infection complaining of backache, anorexia and weight loss. On investigation he was found to have bilateral tuberculous psoas abscesses. A review of the literature shows that this is a rare presentation of an already unusual problem, with subtle signs requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. However, with HIV-positive patients more likely to present with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, there is need for increased awareness of this diagnosis.
Kozakis
L
L
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton LU4 0DZ, UK. Lisa.Kozakis@Idh-tr.anglox.nhs.uk
Ballachandran
T
T
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology