Psoas abscess: a rare metastatic presentation of asymptomatic carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract

Isolated metastasis to the iliopsoas muscle is rare and is often misdiagnosed as psoas abcess, especially when it is the only presenting feature in the absence of a known primary tumour. A 52-year-old woman presented to us with a clinicoradiological diagnosis of psoas abscess. Initially, the patient was managed as a case of tubercular psoas abscess. However, later on, when the disease had not responded to antitubercular therapy, a cytological examination of aspirated material was performed, which confirmed it as being malignant in origin. While searching for primary malignancy, a small growth on the cervix was noticed. A biopsy and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. A final diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with isolated iliopsoas muscle metastasis was proposed. This case highlights an unusual site of metastasis in an asymptomatic primary tumour which was diagnosed retrospectively.