Should We Routinely Exclude Retroperitoneal Abscess in Cases of Hip Periprosthetic Joint Infections

Hip periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) with concomitant retroperitoneal abscesses may not be common clinical situations but they can be easily misdiagnosed affecting the effectiveness of infection control and eradication interventions. We present the case of a 75-year-old female patient with a late hip PJI complicated with iliopsoas abscess that was barely discovered intraoperatively. Literature review supports our recommendation of a high index of suspicion in cases of hip PJI and even routinely imaging examination of pelvis and abdomen for retroperitoneal involvement exclusion.