title: Bilateral psoas abscesses caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) after posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine.
abstract: Psoas abscess following spine surgery is a rare condition that can be overlooked or delayed as a result of its vague clinical manifestations. Gone unchecked, it can lead to severe morbidity and even death. We present a 71-year-old female patient who developed bilateral psoas abscess immediately following L2 through S1 posterior instrumented fusion. The patient underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage of the bilateral psoas abscess and blood cultures revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sensitive to vancomycin. Following surgical re-exploration, debridement and removal of part of the instrumentation, the patient received antibiotic treatment for 12 weeks and at 1-year follow-up the patient continues asymptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Aldo F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santillan
authors.forename: Aldo F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Berti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016658:Psoas Muscles / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome