[A case of psoas abscess associated in the elderly].

A case of psoas abscess associated with diabetes mellitus in the elderly is reported. A 81-year-old male who had been followed for cerebral thrombosis, diabetes mellitus and basal cell carcinoma was admitted to our hospital because of high fever. Leukocytosis, a positive CRP test and pyuria were seen. Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli were detected by urine and blood culture, respectively. He was treated with antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infection and sepsis. After starting treatment, a low grade fever continued. On the twenty first hospital day he developed pyrexia again, and a large abscess was demonstrated in the right psoas muscle by pelvic couputed tomography. The abscess was drained and a specimen from it yielded E. coli on culture. Treatment with antibiotics and drainage resulted in symptomatic improvement. In Japan, 82 cases of psoas abscess have been reported from 1990 to 1994. Four cases of these reports were above eighty years old. The experience with this case indicates the necessity of adequate care in cases of elderly diabetes complicated by psoas abscess.