Abdominal wall and psoas abscesses in children

Abstract

Seventy-seven cases of pyogenic abdominal wall abscess and 33 cases of psoas abscess admitted to the Red Cross Children's Hospital are reviewed separately. The difficulty encountered in diagnosis, particularly in deep-seated abdominal wall abscesses, is emphasised as resulting in delays in treatment. Ultrasound accurately delineated the abscess in 80% of cases submitted for this investigation. Surgical drainage proved effective therapy, and Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in more than 80%. No long-term sequelae were encountered.