[Retroperitoneal abscesses: clinical and therapeutical aspects].

The authors explain the clinical and anatomical features of retroperitoneal abscesses, which occur less commonly than peritoneal infections. Retroperitoneal abscesses arise chiefly from injuries in adjacent structures, but they may be primary when caused by hematogenous bacterial spread. The pyogenic bacteria have replaced Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the major causative organism. Retroperitoneal abscesses may be symptomless, but fever and abdominal pain are prominent features. The differential diagnosis includes retroperitoneal tumors and hematomas. These lesions are best delimited by CT scanning which localizes them accurately. The treatment consists in a prompt and adequate drainage and systemic antibiotics therapy. Drainage by catheter, however, has a lower success rate than the surgical approach. The surgical mortality rate is about 25%.