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Retroperitoneal Abscess

Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A collection of purulent fluid located in the space between the parietal peritoneum and transversalis fascia lining the posterior abdominal cavity

  • Classified as primary if spread hema...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Insidious onset of nonspecific symptoms of infection including fever, chills, weight loss, nausea/vomiting, flank pain, low back pain, abdominal pain or groin pain, lethargy, and alte...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Classically, drainage of the abscess cavity plus empiric (IV) antibiotics. However, if the abscess is <3 cm and patient is otherwise in good condition, prolonged antibioti...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Close observation for signs of sepsis 

Patient Monitoring

  • Reimage depending on clinical progress.

  • Close monitoring of drains and irrigated appropriately

  • Remove drain ...

REFERENCES

1
Tunuguntla  A, Raza  R, Hudgins  L. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in retroperitoneal abscess. South Med J.  2004; 97(11): 1107–...

ADDITIONAL READING

Tunuguntla  A, Raza  R, Hudgins  L. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in retroperitoneal abscess. South Med J.  2004; 97(11): 1107...

CODES

ICD10

  • K68.19 Other retroperitoneal abscess

  • K68.11 Postprocedural retroperitoneal abscess

  • K68.12 Psoas muscle abscess

  • N15.1 Renal and perinephric abscess

SNOMED

  • 32362007 Retroperitoneal abscess (disord...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Rare condition in which perirenal abscesses are more common.

  • CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is the diagnostic modality of choice.

  • Insidious onset of nonspecific symptoms

  • Close observat...

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