Diagnosis and treatment of iliopsoas abscess in spinal cord injury patients.

Six patients with spinal cord injury and iliopsoas abscess and other complicating conditions were evaluated with computed tomography (CT), conventional radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radionuclide scans. CT identified the presence of psoas abscess and revealed the depth, extent, and relationship of deep pressure ulcers to deep structures. CT-guided aspiration of the abscess cavities was performed in three patients, with placement of drainage catheters. Concurrent treatment with appropriate antibiotics, followed by staged myocutaneous flap coverage resulted successful outcomes in all patients. A high index of suspicion aids in the early diagnosis of psoas abscess in the SCI patient, as interpretations of physical examination are obscured by the lack of localizing findings. We believe that CT is the diagnostic and therapeutic modality of choice in the management of these complex conditions in the SCI patient, because of its superior ability to detect pathologic changes in the pelvic region and for decreasing the morbidity of the treatment by avoiding open surgery in these often suboptimal surgical candidates.