Background Psoas abscess (PA) is a rare infectious disease, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) serving as a significant risk factor. The combination of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and ultrasound offers innovative approaches for the rapid and precise treatment of PA. Case presentation Case 1: A 77-year-old woman presented with lumbar pain was initially misdiagnosed with lumbar disc herniation based on CT scan. Subsequent CT scan and ultrasound-guided puncture confirmed a left lumbar PA. mNGS detected the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae , which was negative on conventional culture. The patient was successfully treated with vancomycin for 5 weeks, with no recurrence at 3-year follow-up. Case 2: A 56-year-old woman with a 10-year history of T2DM presented with poor appetite and fatigue. CT imaging identified a left lumbar PA along with perirenal infection. Pus from ultrasound-guided puncture for conventional culture and mNGS detected the presence of Staphylococcus aureus . Treatment with oxacillin and vancomycin led to clinical resolution. The follow-up CT scan in 2024 indicated complete resorption of the lesion. Conclusion mNGS combined with ultrasound-guided puncture overcomes conventional culture limitations. This approach suggests clinical feasibility.
Chen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.