Primary hydatid cyst of the psoas: report of 2 cases

We report two patients with hydatid cyst of the right psoas muscle who presented with lower back pain and a palpable mass on the right side. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography [CT] in both patients and by positive hydatid serology in one case. Intervention consisted of a pericystectomy in both cases. After a follow-up of 24 and 30 months, respectively, the hydatid serology is negative in both patients and the findings on control CT are normal. Based on these two cases and a review of the literature the authors discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this rare entity

[HIV infection revealed during the treatment of a unilateral abscess of the psoas muscle]

We report the case of a 25-year-old unmarried male patient who presented with painful swelling of the right lumbar area of one month's duration, associated with fever and general debility, but without any urological or gastro-intestinal symptoms. He admitted having had unprotected sexual intercourse. Abdominal radiography revealed an abscess in the right psoas muscle, which was drained by lumbotomy. Analysis of the pus revealed Staphylococcus aureus. Histological examination of the abscess wall found non-specific inflammation. A test for tuberculosis was negative, while serological examination revealed HIV. The patient was treated with antiretroviral drugs

[Diagnosis and treatment of penile tumors, report of 2 cases and review of the literature]

Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is rare, representing less than 1% of all adult cancers. The etiology of this cancer is still unknown, but many risk factors have been suggested, above all the human papilloma virus. The authors describe two cases of infiltrating penile tumors. The first patient presented with a glandular tumor of 5 cm which was treated by a distal penile amputation. The second patient had a ventrally located penile tumor associated with a urethral fistula. He was subjected to total penectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, he developed lymphorrhea which resolved spontaneously. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for penile tumors and consists - depending on the case - of wide excision, partial or total penectomy with perineal urethrostomy