A case of hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with psoas abscess

Abstract

Psoas abscess is relatively rare and often difficult to make early diagnosis. We treated a patient suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis C virus infection who was admitted to our hospital complaining of right inguinodynia and a high fever. Positive CRP test were seen. Staphylococcus aureus was detected from blood culture and he was treated for sepsis with antibiotic therapy. After starting treatment, his inguinodynia continued and abscesses were demonstrated in the right psoas muscle by pelvic computed tomography (CT). The abscesses were drained and a specimen yielded S. aureus on culture. After drainage, the symptoms improved and the abscesses disappeared on pelvic CT. Pelvic CT can be successfully used to diagnose psoas abscess and to monitor the efficiency of the treatment.