Acute non-tuberculous psoas abscess, report of 10 cases and review of the literature

Ten cases of acute psoas abscess arising outside the spine are described, all of which presented as an emergency. In 8 the underlying disease was either in the large or small bowel; the abscess grew mixed faecal organisms which were gas-producing in 3 cases. Two cases of staphylococcal abscess are described, one of which was associated with a perinephric abscess. The problems encountered in diagnosis are described and the literature reviewed.