[Primary abscess of the psoas. A common disease in tropical countries. Apropos of 87 cases].

Over a 4 years period, 87 cases of primary abscesses of the psoas were treated surgically at the Central Hospital in Yaoundé. The psoas muscle was involved in 10.17% of the cases with myositis. Most patients were in young male and the abscesses were in an advanced stage. Staphylococcus was the most frequently encountered germ (78.4%) and enterobacteria were only found in 3.07%. The diagnosis was based on clinical and echographic findings. There was 1 patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Most cases were treated by extraperitoneal drainage. Morbidity and mortality were low and generally occurred in debilitated patients (AIDS, involvement of several muscle groups, diabetes).