Retroperitoneal abscess after normal delivery. A report of two cases.

BACKGROUND : Retroperitoneal abscess is a rare complication of normal labor and delivery, and no apparent etiology is evident. CASES : We report on two patients who presented with back and leg pain soon after normal deliveries. While the condition was initially clinically misdiagnosed, ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated retroperitoneal collections and aided in guided percutaneous drainage. After a protracted course of antibiotic treatment and daily irrigation, the collections resolved. CONCLUSION : Ultrasonography and computed tomography were invaluable in the diagnosis and guided drainage of rare psoas abscesses complicating delivery.