[Abscess of the psoas muscle caused by a psoas compartment catheter. Case report of a rare complication of peripheral catheter regional anaesthesia]

Abstract

A 27-year-old female patient was continuously treated with a psoas compartment catheter for pain therapy. The catheter was placed under strictly aseptic conditions. After 5 days a painful swelling and erythema were observed at the catheter introduction site and the catheter was removed. At the tip of the catheter a staphylococcus aureus infection was detected. A few days after removing the catheter, the patient showed signs of a general infection such as fever and an increase of CRP. An abscess of the psoas muscle was diagnosed via computer tomography. After treatment with antibiotics the abscess was healed and the patient was discharged after 21 days. An abscess of the psoas muscle is a rare complication of psoas compartment catheters. Erythema, pain or swelling at the site of introduction can be a sign of infection and the catheter must be removed immediately. In addition to the case report a review of the literature is given with data on risk management and own infection rates by 2304 peripheral pain catheters.