Groin abscess: A retrospective review of diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

• Groin abscess is a very rare presentation to the Emergency department. It constitutes less than 0.04% of all Emergency Department presentations. • It is more common in intravenous drug users (IVDU) who inject into the groin. • Pseudoaneurysm is a very rare complication of groin abscesses. • The commonest organisms cultured are streptococcus (A, B or C) and staphylococcus aureus. • Most patients responded to treatment with antibiotics with or without incision and drainage of the abscess. • Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis is not uncommon in IVDUs with groin abscesses. To determine the incidence, diagnosis and management of adult patients (over the age of 18 years) that presented to our Emergency department with a groin abscess over a 12-month period. Retrospective chart review of all adult patients presenting a large suburban hospital with a provisional diagnosis of groin abscess was undertaken from January 2019 to December 2019. A proforma was used to capture data such as the age, sex, co-morbidities, imaging, profile of micro-organisms and treatment. 39 patients with groin abscess were identified, representing approximately 0.04% of all ED attendances. There were 21 males and 18 females. The age range was from 23 to 73 years (mean age 42). The abscess was located on the left side in 19 patients (49%), 18 (46%) on the right and 2 (5%) were bilateral. The majority of patient (64%) were intravenous drug users. 28 patients had either CT angiography or Ultrasound scan. 37 patients had some form treatment; either I&D or antibiotics. 2 patients were discharged without any treatment. There was no pseudoaneurysm identified. There were 2 cases of incidental DVT. 48% of organism cultured were staphylococcus or streptococcus (A, B or C). Groin abscess is a rare presentation to the Emergency department. It is more common in intravenous drug users (IVDU). The most preferred imaging modality is CT angiography. Pseudoaneurysm is rare. The commonest organisms cultured are streptococcus (A, B or C) and staphylococcus aureus. Most patients responded to treatment with antibiotics with or without incision and drainage of the abscess.