Peripelvic infections mimicking septic arthritis of the hip in children: treatment with needle aspiration

Abstract

We report the cases of five children treated for nonarticular pelvic abscesses who presented with a provisional diagnosis of septic hip. The diagnosis was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in four cases, ultrasound in two and computed tomography (CT) scan in one case. The MRI provided an accurate location and the size of the lesion. Staphylococcus aureus was the causative agent in all cases. The five cases with large abscess in the soft tissue were treated with a CT-guided needle aspiration followed by intravenous antibiotics. All patients can be managed without open surgical drainage and improved without any complications. The less invasive, non-incisional, CT-guided needle aspiration was an effective management for perihip abscesses.