Retroperitoneal abscess. Case report and review of the literature.

The case of a 93-year-old female with a Streptococcus pneumoniae retroperitoneal abscess diagnosed by physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography is presented. Review of the literature reveals no previous cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae retroperitoneal abscess. Retroperitoneal abscess is a complication of common medical diseases. Delay in diagnosis contributes to a high mortality rate and surgical drainage is the primary mode of therapy. The new diagnostic techniques of ultrasonography, radionucleotide scanning with gallium-67 citrate or indium-111 chloride, and computerized tomography appear to provide a sensitive method for earlier diagnosis.