Crohn's disease penetrating into the spinal canal

An 11-year-old boy who had suffered from Crohn's disease of the large bowel for 4 years developed high fever, severe back pain and flexion-contracture of the right hip joint with inability to walk. After several weeks radicular irritation also became apparent. CT-scan demonstrated an abscess of the right psoas muscle that had also infiltrated the spinal canal, leading to a spinal extradural abscess extending from L2-S4. Therapy comprised surgical drainage of the psoas abscess and conservative therapy (mainly steroids and hypercaloric diet) and resulted in complete cure of the psoas and the spinal abscess. Spinal infiltration is a rare and serious complication of Crohn's disease and must be considered in every case of significant back pain with or without obvious neurological signs.     

Crohn's Disease Penetrating into the Spinal Canal

ABSTRACT. An 11-year-old boy who had suffered from Crohn's disease of the large bowel for 4 years developed high fever, severe back pain and flexion-contracture of the right hip joint with inability to walk. After several weeks radicular irritation also became apparent. CT-scan demonstrated an abscess of the right psoas muscle that had also infiltrated the spinal canal, leading to a spinal extradural abscess extending from L₂-S₄. Therapy comprised surgical drainage of the psoas abscess and conservative therapy (mainly steroids and hypercaloric diet) and resulted in complete cure of the psoas and the spinal abscess. Spinal infiltration is a rare and serious complication of Crohn's disease and must be considered in every case of significant back pain with or without obvious neurological signs.     

Low back pain at presentation in a newly diagnosed diabetic

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus predisposes to a range of different and unusual infections, including epidural and psoas abscesses. However, they occur mainly in adults with longstanding diabetes. We report the case of a 12 year old boy who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and low back pain, and was subsequently diagnosed with both a left psoas abscess and an extensive thoracolumbar spinal epidural abscess measuring 20 cm in length. This case report highlights the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for epidural abscesses in children presenting with fever and localised back pain. Early diagnosis with appropriate imaging and aggressive management can prevent development of permanent neurological damage as was the case in our patient.     

The voluminous primitive psoas abscess in children: report of three cases]

The primitive psoas abscess is a pathology extremely rare in the child. The diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. Their treatment requires a local and general sterilization of the infection. We report three observations of primary abscess of the psoas in the child. The clinic presentation is uncommon. Ultrasonography keeps an important place. The biology objective an infectious and inflammatory syndrome. Histology permits to put in evidence all shapes association of lesions. The bacteriological survey of the pus after drainage is only positive in one case. Surgical drainage with bactericidal antibiotherapy permit a definitive recovery.     

Psoas abscess complicated by vesical fistula in a child managed by non-surgical therapy

We report an unusual case of a 2-year-old child with a psoas abscess fistulizing to the bladder, managed by non-surgical therapy including urethral catheter drainage, percutaneous abscess drainage and intravenous antibiotics.     

Low back pain at presentation in a newly diagnosed diabetic.

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus predisposes to a range of different and unusual infections, including epidural and psoas abscesses. However, they occur mainly in adults with longstanding diabetes. We report the case of a 12 year old boy who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and low back pain, and was subsequently diagnosed with both a left psoas abscess and an extensive thoracolumbar spinal epidural abscess measuring 20 cm in length. This case report highlights the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for epidural abscesses in children presenting with fever and localised back pain. Early diagnosis with appropriate imaging and aggressive management can prevent development of permanent neurological damage as was the case in our patient.     

Psoas abscess associated with renal pathology in children

Pyogenic psoas abscess in children is most commonly a primary disease process associated withStaphylococcus aureus. We report three cases of secondary psoas abscess associated with underlying renal pathology.     

Primary ilio-psoas abscess extending to the thigh in a neonate: US, CT and MR findings

Psoas abscess in children, and especially in neonates, is an uncommon condition which is difficult to diagnose clinically. The US, CT and MR findings of a psoas abscess in a neonate, which extended to the thigh, are reported. Imaging was helpful in revealing the abnormality, in demonstrating its extension and in determining its nature. The child was treated conservatively and the abscess resolved, leaving atrophy of the psoas muscle. Received: 24 June 1997 Accepted: 9 January 1998     

Diagnostic et traitement des abcès primitifs du psoas chez l'enfant

PurposeTo evaluate the value of ultrasound and computed tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of primitive psoas abscess in children.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively studied 20 cases of primitive psoas abscess seen between 1987 and 2005. All children were investigated by abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography. Percutaneous drainage of the abscess was performed in 15 cases.ResultsThe mean age of the children was 7.8 years (range: 11 months-12 years). Fever and pain were the presenting symptoms. Ultrasonography established the diagnosis in all patients. CT confirmed the diagnosis and allowed a percutaneous needle aspiration in all cases. Staphylococcus auerus was isolated in 19 patients and streptococcus in 1 patient. The catheter drainage was successful in 14 cases. A surgical drainage was necessary for four children. The two other patients were treated with only antibiotic.ConclusionUS and CT are useful for accurate diagnosis of primitive psoas abscess in children. CT-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective alternative to surgery in the management of primitive psoas abscess.     

Primary pyogenic psoas abscess in children

Primary pyogenic psoas abscess, although quite a common condition, particularly in the tropics, is often overlooked as a clinical entity, probably because a psoas abscess has been traditionally associated with tuberculous spondylitis. The abscess is easily diagnosed by ultrasonography (US). Treatment by open drainage and antibiotics effective against Staphylococcus aureus results in complete reversal of symptoms and signs. In our series of 55 cases in the pediatric age group (0–12 years), pain and flexion at the hip were the most frequent clinical features at presentation. US was diagnostic in all cases in which it was performed. All except 1 patient showed complete resolution with extraperitoneal drainage, antibiotics, and skin traction. Although 4% of the cases were associated with suppurative external-iliac lymphadenitis, the remaining ones arose de novo in the psoas sheath, suggesting a primary pyomyositis of the psoas muscle. Accepted: 22 July 1999     

Acute appendicitis presenting as thigh abscess in a child: a case report

A case of retrocecal appendicitis is described in a 6-year-old male child who presented with thigh abscess. The presence of a positive psoas stretch test, feculent discharge, an enteric growth on bacteriological examination, and intraabdominal fluid collection on abdominal ultrasound provided clues to the presence of an intraabdominal source of sepsis. Laparotomy revealed a perforated retrocecal appendix with surrounding collection communicating into the thigh. Appendectomy with drainage of retroperitoneal and thigh collections under adequate antibiotic coverage resulted in a satisfactory recovery. We describe our experience with the present case and discuss the pertinent literature.     

Psoas muscular abscess in children

Symptoms of psoas muscular abscess in children are nonspecific and differential diagnosis is made among diseases included in childreńs acute hip pain syndrome, imaging tests being necessary for diagnostic confirmation. During the first semester of 1995, 48,550 children were examined in Pronto Socorro do Instituto da Crian?a do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de S?o Paulo, four of them diagnosed as having psoas muscular abscess (2 females and 2 males, ages varying from 1 to 12 years). All of them had nonspecific clinical features and diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal ultrasound and/or computerized tomography. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated as the etiologic agent in 3 children, findings similar to the ones in literature.     

Acute pyogenic psoas abscess

Summary A series of 40 cases of acute pyogenic psoas abscess is reported. Clinical, operative and histopathological observation are recorded. It is a definite clinical entity and necessitates prompt treatment. From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry-6.     

Primary suppurative myositis in children.

Primary suppurative myositis is rare in the United States when compared with the incidence of disease in the tropics. Clinically, it may mimic many of the more common diseases, such as hematoma, osteomyelitis, arthritis, or appendiceal abscess. It usually has a benign course, with complete recovery after appropriate treatment. Prolonged morbidity and an increased mortality may result from unfamiliarity with this entity. Six children had primary suppurative myositis; one died as a result of perforation of a psoas abscess into the dural sac causing staphylococcal meningitis.     

Abdominal wall and psoas abscesses in children

Seventy-seven cases of pyogenic abdominal wall abscess and 33 cases of psoas abscess admitted to the Red Cross Children's Hospital are reviewed separately. The difficulty encountered in diagnosis, particularly in deep-seated abdominal wall abscesses, is emphasised as resulting in delays in treatment. Ultrasound accurately delineated the abscess in 80% of cases submitted for this investigation. Surgical drainage proved effective therapy, and Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in more than 80%. No long-term sequelae were encountered. Offprint requests to: R. A. Brown     

Psoas abscess: drainage through Petit's triangle

Thirteen cases of psoas abscess were treated by surgical drainage through Petit's triangle. This underutilized anatomic space provides a simple and effective route for drainage of retroperitoneal abscesses. Correspondence to: K. L. N. Rao     

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in children: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an uncommon chronic, inflammatory disease of the kidney. Etio-pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of pediatric XGP is still obscure due to the limited number of cases. Therefore, a retrospective clinical study was carried out to present an updated picture of the entire spectrum of pediatric XGP based on our 30 years' experience covering one of the largest non-collected series treated in a single medical center. METHODS: Records of children who were treated for XGP in our unit from 1970 to 1999, inclusive, were reviewed retrospectively.Information recorded for each patient included age, sex, past medical history, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures,treatment methods, histopathologic findings and outcome. RESULTS: 17 children with a mean age of 6.6 +/- 0.8 years, consisting of 15 males and 2 females, were treated for XGP. Eight patients had a urological disease history and 4 of them underwent surgery for urinary calculi and exstrophia vesica repair. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, fever,weight loss and anorexia. Palpable flank mass was the most common physical examination finding. Left and right kidneys were involved in 10 and 7 patients, respectively. Diagnostic procedures were intravenous pyelography, retrograde pyelography, ultrasound scan and computerized tomography (CT). Renal calculi and/or calcifications and non-functioning kidney were the most frequent findings in radiologic investigations. By combining all these investigations, the preoperative diagnoses were XGP (n = 2), renal and/or perirenal abscess (n = 5), psoas abscess(n = 2), non-functioning kidney due to recurrent pyelonephritis(n = 4), Wilms' tumor and/or renal clear-cell carcinoma (n = 4). XGP was correctly diagnosed in only two patients based on cr findings. Drainage of the renal or psoas abscess was performed in 8 patients as an initial procedure (surgical drainage in 6 and ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage in 2 patients). Surgical procedures included nephrectomy (n= 13), partial nephrectomy (n=2), nephrectomy and diversion of reno-colic fistula(n= 1), and renal biopsy and nephrostomy (n= 1). Operative and postoperative complications were colonic perforation (n= 3) and wound infection (n = 3). Complications were noted only in patients who underwent nephrectomy without initial drainage procedures. Histopathologic examinations showed diffuse and focal XGP in 14 and 3 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: XGP should be included in the differential diagnosis of all children presenting with perirenal or psoas abscess, renal mass and/or non-functioning kidney associated with/or without urolithiasis. Clinical awareness and a high index of suspicion is required to achieve the correct preoperative diagnosis and appropriate management. CT seems to be the most valuable imaging method for the diagnosis. We strongly recommend percutaneous drainage of the abscess and adjunctive antibiotic therapy prior to nephrectomy to avoid complications. Complete nephrectomy is the proper treatment for the diffuse form whereas frozen section biopsies followed by partial nephrectomy are mandatory for the proper treatment of focal disease.     

The clinical spectrum of chronic appendiceal abscess in cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE--To describe the varied characteristics seen in patients with cystic fibrosis who develop chronic abscess formation secondary to unrecognized appendicitis. DESIGN--Patient series. SETTING--Cystic Fibrosis Care Centers in Columbus, Ohio, and Tucson, Ariz. PARTICIPANTS--Five patients with cystic fibrosis who developed chronic abdominal abscesses secondary to occult appendicitis are described. Two patients developed fistula formation with purulent fluid drainage before diagnosis. One patient developed an extensive psoas abscess. Another presented with prolonged fever of unknown origin. These patients were identified by retrospective review of the past 20-year experience at two Cystic Fibrosis Care Centers. CONCLUSIONS--Development of chronic abdominal abscess related to unrecognized appendicitis is a rare but important complication in patients with cystic fibrosis. Prompt diagnosis depends on physician familiarity with the varied presentations of this entity. Diagnostic abdominal computed tomography and/or ultrasonography should particularly be considered when patients with cystic fibrosis present with pain, mass, or drainage from the right flank; prolonged fever; a limp; or failure of suspected meconium ileus equivalent syndrome to respond promptly to cathartic measures.     

Femoral nerve neuropathy following the psoas hitch procedure

ObjectiveTo present two cases of femoral nerve neuropathy following a psoas hitch procedure performed during Leadbetter–Politano ureteric reimplantation, and emphasize the importance of this rare complication.PatientsTwo 2-year-old boys with complex urological histories underwent Leadbetter–Politano ureteric reimplantations with a psoas hitch using non-absorbable sutures independently in Turkey and the UK. Postoperatively both developed a femoral nerve palsy, which required re-exploration and removal of the sutures. In the first case the femoral nerve was not identified, but in the second case re-exploration revealed the femoral nerve stretched by the nearby suture. Both boys made a full recovery from their neuropraxia.ConclusionThese two cases illustrate the potential for nerve involvement with the psoas hitch manoeuvre, and the importance of early recognition of this complication. It is recommended that if a psoas hitch procedure is performed great care should be taken to identify the nerves, and if none are seen then the sutures are placed superficially into the belly of the muscle as the nerves may be sited deeper within it.     

Spondylodiscitis in childhood

Spondylodiscitis is a frequently unrecognized disease in childhood because of unspecific symptoms and late arising or radiological signs. The heterogeneous symptoms, the value of diagnostic procedures and the outcome of 8 patients suffering from spondylodiscitis in the time period of 1989 to 1995 are demonstrated. Guiding symptoms were back pain and refusal to walk or sit. Furthermore, abdominal pain and psoas abscess were the only symptoms in two cases. The pathogenomonical narrowing of the disc space arose in X-ray films earliest 3 weeks after onset of symptoms. The MRI was the best method for early diagnosis and detection of complications. In contrast to persistent radiological changes the clinical outcome was good in most of the patients.