Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile and outcome in patients with iliopsoas abscess.

Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Science, Dharan, Nepal from

February 2005 to March 2006. The medical records of all thirty six patients admitted in surgery ward with

diagnosis of iliopsoas abscess during the study period were analyzed.

Results: Thirty six patients were included the study. There were 22 (61.1%) males and 14 (38.9%) females with a mean age of 24.33 ±19.19 years. Demographic distribution of the patients revealed the highest number 13 (36.1%) from Sunsari district, eastern part of the country. Right sided unilateral involvement was the most common presentation and only 2 cases had bilateral involvement. In none of our patients the dorsolumbar spine radiograph revealed any involvement of the bone. The most common complaints were pain in lower abdomen and lump in iliac fossa with flexion deformity at hip joint. All the patients underwent open surgical drainage and their outcomes were analyzed in term of cure, morbidity and mortality. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism 24 (61.5%) isolated. Twenty two (91.66%) of Staphylococcus aureus samples were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. There was one mortality in the group who died of septicaemia secondary to necrotizing fascitis. Six patients had wound infection, which were cured by regular dressing.

Conclusion: On the basis of our experience and review of available relevant literature, we can conclude that a high index of suspicion and awareness of the varying clinical picture are required to diagnose this condition properly. Ultrasonography should still be the preferred imaging modality as it is cheap, safe, cost effective and readily available. Ciprofloxacin should be used as a first line drug. Image guided aspiration may be practical in selected cases having little pus and traditional open drainage should be considered without hesitation.