In a case of iliopsoas abscess treated by computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous drainage, a 72-year-old woman admitted to our hospital presented with a high-grade fever and pain in the left hip. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis (white blood cell count 12, 600/mm3) and elevated C-reactive protein (11.6mg/dl). Plain X-ray film revealed no apparent abnormalities, but CT scan clearly showed an abscess formed in the left iliopsoas muscle. For treatment, we chose CT-guided percutaneous drainage because the lesion was localized in the iliac fossa. A drain catheter (sump tube) was inserted in the abscess cavity and about 300cc of purulent effusion was drained. After drainage, laboratory findings and clinical sympton improved gradually and CT after 3 weeks of follow-up showed the abscess to have disappeared. We found that CT-guided percutaneous drainage is effective in treating iliopsoas abscess, especially in the early stage. This drainage is less invasive than conventional surgical treatment, and we suggest that CT-guided percutaneous drainage may be the treatment of first choice when iliopsoas abscess is diagnosed early enough.
