Absceso retroperitoneal secundario a espondilodiscitis tuberculosa simulando una hernia inguinal incarcerada.

Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of spinal infection worldwide (9-46%). Tuberculosis spondylodiscitis causes multifocal thoracic and lumbar spinal disease, and big paraspinal and psoas abscesses. It is more frequent in people under 40 who had previous tuberculosis infection and from countries where the illness is endemic. Clinic is non-specific and sub-acute. We report the clinical case of a 29-year-old patient who suffered from pericardic tuberculosis in her childhood and who presents a bilateral retroperitoneal abscess due to tuberculosis spondylodiscitis. Her clinical debut began with left inguinal pain and an irreducible mass at this level that simulated an incarcerated inguinal hernia, which is why surgery was indicated. Due to discrepancies between intraoperative findings and the initial diagnosis, the diagnosis and treatment strategy were changed. The purpose of this case report is to emphasize the challenge that the diagnosis of this pathology represents, due to low incidence in our environment and poor clinical features, which results in late diagnosis and late management.

Psoas abscess due to Pasteurella multocida.

Psoas abscess is a pus collection within the muscle compartment. It is a very uncommon entity. It can be primary as a result of haematogenous spread or secondary as a consequence of a direct extension of an infectious focus. Diagnosis is usually delayed because nonspecific clinical presentation. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism cultured in this type of abscess. We describe a secondary psoas abscess in an elderly female patient. The patient presented with fever, right groin pain and malaise. Following laboratory, radiological and microbiological analyses the patient was diagnosed as having a psoas abscess due to Pasteurella multocida, which is a Gram negative bacteria, part of the normal oral flora of many animals and can causes human infections after animal scratches or bites. More rarely is to find this organism causing psoas abscesses. Because of insidious clinical presentation, the diagnosis of psoas abscess is a challenge and a high index of suspicion is required. We emphasize the importance of bacteriological confirmation of microorganism involved to choose the correct antibiotics. Percutaneous drainage is the treatment of choice. Open surgical drainage should be reserved if percutaneous drainage fails.

Spigelian hernia. Personal experience and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Spigelian hernia is an uncommon abdominal wall defect. We present our series of patients with Spigelian hernia and a literature review. PATIENTS: We carried out a retrospective review of patients operated on from 2001 to 2008. Epidemiological aspects, diagnostic methods, surgical technique characteristics, morbidity, hospital stay, recurrences and follow up are analyzed. RESULTS: We have treated 39 patients, 25 female and 14 male, with a mean age of 70 years. Left side was the most frequent location. Risk factors were present in 74% of patients. Diagnosis was made clinically in 72% of cases. Open hernioplasty followed by laparoscopic hernioplasty are the most frequent techniques performed. Emergency operation was needed in 20% of patients. Postoperative morbidity is very low. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of Spigelian hernia is basically clinic. The gold standard is TC in doubtful cases. An important percentage of patients will present with an acute complication of the Spigelian hernia as their first symptom. Surgical technique depends on patient characteristics, type of hernia and surgeon experience.

Hernias de Spiegel. Nuestra experiencia y revisión de la literatura / Spigelian hernia. Personal experience and review of the literature

Objetivo: la hernia de Spiegel es una variedad poco frecuente de defecto de la pared abdominal. Presentamos nuestra serie de pacientes intervenidos con éste diagnóstico, así como una revisión de la literatura. Pacientes: se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos por hernia de Spiegel en nuestro centro entre los años 2001 y 2008. Se analizan factores epidemiológicos, forma de diagnóstico, características de la técnica quirúrgica, morbilidad, estancia hospitalaria, recidivas y seguimiento. Resultados: han sido intervenidos 39 pacientes, 25 mujeres y 14 hombres, con una edad media de 70 años. La localización más frecuente es la izquierda. El 74% de los pacientes presenta 1 o más factores de riesgo. El diagnóstico fue clínico en el 72% de los casos. La técnica más empleada es la hernioplastia seguida de la hernioplastia laparoscópica y en el 20% de los casos la intervención tuvo que realizarse de forma urgente. La morbilidad postoperatoria es escasa. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico de la hernia de Spiegel es fundamentalmente clínico. En caso de duda diagnóstica el TAC es la prueba de elección. En un porcentaje importante de pacientes la primera manifestación es la incarceración. La técnica quirúrgica dependerá de las características del paciente, la hernia y la experiencia del cirujano(AU)

Objective: Spigelian hernia is an uncommon abdominal wall defect. We present our series of patients with Spigelian hernia and a literature review. Patients: we carried out a retrospective review of patients operated on from 2001 to 2008. Epidemiological aspects, diagnostic methods, surgical technique characteristics, morbidity, hospital stay, recurrences and follow up are analyzed. Results: we have treated 39 patients, 25 female and 14 male, with a mean age of 70 years. Left side was the most frequent location. Risk factors were present in 74% of patients. Diagnosis was made clinically in 72% of cases. Open hernioplasty followed by laparoscopic hernioplasty are the most frequent techniques performed. Emergency operation was needed in 20% of patients. Postoperative morbidity is very low. Conclusions: diagnosis of Spigelian hernia is basically clinic. The gold standard is TC in doubtful cases. An important percentage of patients will present with an acute complication of the Spigelian hernia as their first symptom. Surgical technique depends on patient characteristics, type of hernia and surgeon experience(AU)