Retroperitoneal Abscess following Appendectomy: a Case Report

Abstract

Retroperitoneal abscess is an uncommonly encountered clinical condition, either in adults or, especially, in children, with a non-specific clinical presentation and marked by considerable morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 15 year old patient who presented with a retroperitoneal abscess involving the psoas muscle, following an appendectomy performed 4 years ago. The patient’s case serves as a reminder that retroperitoneal abscess is a uncommon condition that presents with vague clinical features, often resulting in diagnostic delays; the key clinical work-ups are the ultrasound or computed tomography exam of the retroperitoneal space. Of particular interest is the unusually long interval between the initial appendectomy and the onset of the retroperitoneal abscess clinical manifestations.