Prevertebral abscess with extension into the hip joint.

We present a case of a paravertebral abscess with extension into the hip joint. The presumed conduit of infection in this case is the iliopsoas bursa, which has been shown to provide direct communication between the retroperitoneal space and the hip joint in up to 15% of cadaveric specimens. The patient was treated with emergent open irrigation and debridement of the hip joint, as well as percutaneous drainage of the prevertebral abscess. The patient remains minimally symptomatic at the 2-year follow-up.