A Case of a Recurrent Iliopsoas Abscess Masking a Complicated Appendicitis Successfully Treated by a Laparoscopic Approach

Abstract

Iliopsoas abscesses can be caused by a secondary adjacent infectious source in the bowel. Complicated retroperitoneal abscesses involving the iliopsoas muscle and the lateral abdominal wall can develop as a serious complication of a perforated acute appendicitis. A 73-year-old man with a history of recurrent iliopsoas abscess was referred to our clinic. He had earlier been treated for recurrent right iliopsoas abscess by a percutaneous catheter and operative drainage and antibiotics in another hospital 3 times for 6 years at 2 or 3 year intervals. At the fourth episode, the abscess was proven to be caused by perforated appendicitis on laparoscopic exploration. The main drainage procedure of the abscess, as well as the appendectomy, was performed through a laparoscopic approach.