Retroperitoneal Abscess and Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Children

Three cases of children with retroperitoneal abscess which appeared to be septic arthritis of the hip have been presented. The clinical characteristics of fourteen cases of retroperitoneal abscess have been compared with those of twenty cases of septic arthritis of the hip. Also, the usefulness of testing hip motion, aspirating the hip joint, examining the rectum, and viewing abdominal roentgenograms has been described.