Association between psoas abscess and prosthetic hip infection: a case-control study

Background and purpose The relationship between prosthetic hip infection and a psoas abscess is poorly documented. We determined the frequency of prosthetic hip infections associated with psoas abscesses and identified their determinants.

Methods We conducted a 2-year observational study. Data from patients with psoas abscesses that were associated with prosthetic hip infections were examined in a case-control study.

Results Of 106 patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department with prosthetic hip infection, 13 also had a psoas abscess (12%; 95% CI: 6–19). By conditional logistic regression analysis, psoas abscesses were observed more frequently in cases of hematogenous prosthetic infections (OR = 93, p = 0.06) and in patients with a history of neoplasm (OR = 20, p = 0.03).

Interpretation Our results suggest that the presence of psoas abscesses is a frequent but under-diagnosed complication of prosthetic hip infection. We recommend that an abdominal CT scan be performed on patients with hematogenous prosthetic hip infection or with a history of neoplasm.