Iliopsoas muscle abscess and Proteus mirabilis caused sepsis: a case report

Abstract

Musculus psoas abscess (MPA) is a relatively uncommon and potentially life-threatening infection. Diagnostics of MPA are challenging due to nonspecific clinical presentation and insidious onset. We present an 85-year-old patient with iliopsoas abscess and sepsis, who was admitted to an emergency department with fever, fatigue, anorexia, tenderness and limited range of motion in her right hip. Upon further diagnostics, it was discovered, that the bacterial cause of infection was Proteus mirabilis, which is a highly unusual finding. The case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing MPA and discusses the possible origins of the primary infection.